State approves $5 million for new Mystic Aquarium building
Mystic — The state Bonding Commission has approved $5 million in funding for the Mystic Aquarium’s new 18,000-square-foot conservation, education and research center.
The Bonding Commission approved the funding for the Milne Center for Ocean Science and Conservation last Friday. In announcing the funding last week, state Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, called the aquarium one of the state’s top destination showpieces.
“These funds, that are more than matched by private donations, will keep visitors and tourist dollars flowing into our area. That means jobs and more opportunities for the entire region,” Somers said.
Earlier this month, the Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special-use permit for the center on the eastern portion of the aquarium's Coogan Boulevard campus.
The project is not designed to increase the aquarium’s 750,000 annual attendance but improve animal holding, research and education areas. The building also will have public exhibits and viewing areas.
Aquarium officials have said the project will allow the aquarium to meet current accreditation standards for fish holding and education. Plans are to break ground for the facility in 2018, once fundraising is completed.
The Milne center is one of the initial phases of what Mystic Aquarium officials envision as a $25 million to $50 million update of the institution and its exhibits over the next decade.
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