Stonington — Mystic Aquarium is slated to break ground next Tuesday on a long-awaited $5 million research center that will provide additional laboratory and renovated veterinary care space and give the public a chance to learn about the daily conservation and research work done at the aquarium.

“It’s been a long time coming. This building has been part of our master plan for 12 years,” said aquarium President and CEO Stephen Coan. “But we postponed it as we constructed other buildings and opened new exhibits.”

The 10:30 a.m. groundbreaking comes as Mystic Seaport continues construction of its $11.5 million Thompson Exhibition Building and the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center completes the renovation of the two main buildings and parking lot at its Coogan Farm Nature & Heritage Center, a more than $4 million project.

“This is a very exciting time for Mystic. It’s a good indication the economy is improving in the region,” said Coan. "The future looks very strong for tourism and cultural institutions here.”

He added the three projects underscore the important role the three organizations play in the community, saying they are not geared just to tourists but also serve as a community resource.

The new 8,000-square-foot research building will contain space for laboratories, classrooms, a student laboratory, offices, meeting rooms, and public exhibit space. Coan said the building will offer daily interactive activities for visitors as they learn about the aquarium’s research and conservation work. The existing animal care and operating room space will be renovated and connected to the new research building.

“As we have grown to have a worldwide impact on ocean and marine animal conservation, our efforts will be enhanced by bringing together our scientific and veterinary functions under one roof to support each other and share and advance their mutual goals of studying and protecting aquatic wildlife,” he said.

The renovated animal care space is slated to be completed by late 2016 and the new research building in late 2017. Coan said the aquarium has raised all the money it needs for the animal care renovation and 70 percent of the money for the research building. He said the name of the building will be announced at a later date.

Coan said the state-of-the-art laboratories will replace outdated labs now housed in construction trailers.

The building will also expand opportunities for high school and college students. Coan said he expects scientists from the University of Connecticut, Tufts University and the Charles River Laboratories to conduct research there.

He said the aquarium may also add new scientists to its payroll. Research operations will be moved off site during construction but Coan said the project will not affect the guest experience.

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas