Tennessee
Aquarium Announces Construction Projects
CHATTANOOGA,
Tenn. (June 25, 2001) - It's hardhat time at the Tennessee Aquarium.
On the drafting board are three new projects, one that will
significantly enhance the current changing exhibit gallery,
announced Charlie Arant, president, on Monday.
Scheduled to open May 1 on the Aquarium's 10th anniversary in
the new changing exhibit gallery will be "Seahorses - Beyond
Imagination." The Aquarium's changing exhibit gallery has been
very successful with "Jellies - Phantoms of the Deep" and "Venom
- Striking Beauties," said Arant.
Although
popular with visitors, the gallery has been a challenge due
to limited space. To improve the ability to have "visitor friendly"
exhibits, the plan is to renovate the lower floor of the Aquarium
into a new, larger and more flexible changing exhibit gallery.
Access to the lower floor will be enhanced with the addition
of escalators to improve visitor flow.
"The new gallery is more than twice the size of the current
gallery, giving visitors more room and giving our staff more
flexibility to create imaginative and captivating exhibits,"
said Arant. "Also, because the new gallery is off the normal
exhibit path, our biannual renovations will be less disruptive
to our visitors.
"We are very excited that these changes will allow us to keep
our facility new, fresh and 'world class' for our visitors,"
said Arant. "These construction projects represent an investment
of $3 million and are the most significant we've made to the
Aquarium building since our opening in May 1992. We couldn't
accomplish our mission without the incredible support from the
entire city of Chattanooga.
" The area on level 3, where the changing exhibit gallery is
currently located, will be completely renovated to offer new
exhibits consistent with the Aquarium's regional freshwater
theme. An exciting new "touch" tank will be added to help kick
off this new exhibit gallery in March 2002.
To make room for the new visitor areas, Aquarium administration
and education offices and staff will be relocated to the 2nd
floor of the old Coca-Cola plant at 201 Broad Street. The space
will be completely renovated for a move in late August of this
year.
EMJ is the general contractor. Chermayeff, Sologub and Poole
is the architectural firm.
The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga is the
largest freshwater aquarium in the world. Built with private
contributions, this non-profit educational organization is dedicated
to the understanding, conservation and celebration of aquatic
habitats. Admission is $12.95 per adult and $6.95 per child,
ages 3-12. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.tnaqua.org
or by phone at 1-800-262-0695. Members enjoy unlimited visits
and other benefits. To join or for program and trip information,
call 267-FISH. The Aquarium is open every day except Thanksgiving
and Christmas and is accessible to people with disabilities.
