PONCE INLET, Fla. — The Marine Science Center in Volusia County is now open once again, following a $4.2 million renovation project.
The center was closed for nine months to improve exhibits, expand education facilities, and upgrade amenities.
The additions include:
The John Crisp Artificial Reef Exhibit, showcasing the benefits of Volusia County’s artificial reef program
A 1,500-square-foot multipurpose education building
A living shoreline exhibit
A living reef exhibit
A working coral lab that will provide research opportunities to high school and college students
Enhancements to the parking area and main building to improve the traffic flow for visitors
An aquarium quarantine deck added to safely introduce new fish into the exhibits
For visitor Jennifer Radtke, she’s been wanting to take her kids to the Marine Science Center for a long time.
“We couldn’t come here because of the renovations and now we’re visiting for three days from Columbus, Ohio and it just so happens it’s opening day today. So, we’re so excited! I’m excited mostly,” Radtke said.
Jennifer Radtke shows her daughter a puffer fish at the reopened Volusia County Marine Science Center. (Spectrum News/Devin Martin)
Chad Macfie, manager of the Volusia County Marine Science Center, says the goal of the center is rehabilitation.
During the closure, staff continued to care for hundreds of birds and sea turtles.
“We outgrew our facility. No one in a number of years would have imagined since 2002 we brought in over 26,000 reptiles and over 19,000 birds,” Macfie said.
Turtle rehabilitation at the Marine Science Center. (Spectrum News/Devin Martin)
Funding for the renovation came from a Volusia ECHO grant and the American Rescue Plan Act.
“We improved visitor flow, we improved our staff spaces, and we have a couple of great exhibits,” Macfie said.
For Jennifer Radtke, she’s glad she can experience this with her kids.
It’s an experience she will never forget.
“It’s such a wonderful small community, it’s time to come out and touch a fish,” Radtke said.
For more information on the Marine Science Center, visit this link.