Great Lakes Aquarium Celebrating 15 Years

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The Great Lakes Aquarium is getting ready to celebrate its 15th birthday.

After struggling with income in their early years, management at the Aquarium is proud of how much they’ve accomplished since 2000. 

“To hopefully expand their knowledge of fresh water and issues affecting it, the history of this region and how fascinating that has been,” said the Aquarium’s Executive Director, Jack LaVoy. 

With a mission to inspire people to explore their connection to Lake Superior, the aquarium puts a huge emphasis on its education program. 

Since last year, they have doubled their staff, and camps are up nearly 50 percent. 

Also, construction is almost finished on the new Discovery Center, an exhibit hall that will overlook the Bay. 

“That’ll really open the Bay and the bridge and direct eye contact with the lakes as we tell the story in that exhibit hall of all the large lakes in the world,” said LaVoy. 

The aquarium will hold a grand opening for the center on its anniversary July 29 at 4 p.m.

Since 2007, revenue is up $350,000, according to LaVoy.  Admissions are up nearly 30 percent since 2014.