With winter just around the corner, it's possible that the beach is the furthest thing from your mind. Or maybe you are dreaming of sandy, sunny vacations and the chance to see beautiful ocean life. If that is the case, you will probably be excited to hear the latest news on a great new attraction headed to Kansas City: SEA LIFE AQUARIUM!
Located at Crown Center (right next to LEGOLAND Discovery Center - coming in Spring 2012), Sea Life Kansas City will feature over 5,000 sea creatures within 30 different displays. Over 260,000 gallons of water will be contained in the 28,000 square foot attraction. The Aquarium is expected to bring upwards of 250,000 visitors to Kansas City annually, and will create 100 new jobs for metro residents! This will be the fifth Sea Life attraction in the US - there are over thirty-five different locations world-wide!
The attraction will feature all sorts of fantastic sea creatures, including Blacktip Sharks, Zebra Sharks, Cow-nosed Rays, Octopus, Seahorses, Jellyfish, and of course, Clown Fish (your little ones may recognize these more easily as Nemo!).
I was invited to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Sea Life Aquarium last week. I am pretty sure all in attendance were wishing that we could be on a warm, sunny beach - it was cold at Crown Center that morning!
Kansas City Mayor Sly James was present and declared the day to be “K- SEA Day," in commemoration of the groundbreaking. Several area children participated in a ceremonial sand dig in celebration. They were all troopers - it was really cold!
Everything was decked out appropriately for the groundbreaking - little details everywhere. I didn't snap a photo, but there were even giant balloon fish swimming around in the Crown Center atrium after the ceremony (controlled by remotes - but wow, they looked almost real).
Crown Center looks like an exciting place these days. Can't wait for all of the new attractions to open. Some fantastic news was announced at the groundbreaking ceremony: Sea Life Aquarium was set to open in Summer 2012, but the new estimated opening is in the Spring!
Here's a little sneak peek at the design concept for Sea Life Aquarium. I am really excited about the underwater tunnel (that's the big section in the center). I have been to a couple of aquariums in other states and by far, my favorite part has always been the underwater tunnel! There's nothing quite like it - it's like you're really in the ocean, hanging out with all of the sea creatures!
There was a celebration in Crown Center after the groundbreaking that featured these yummy (and adorable) snacks. The folks behind Sea Life are obviously dedicated to making sure the whole experience will be one to remember! Stay tuned - I will bring you more updates about Sea Life as construction progresses! You can keep up with things, too, by following Sea Life on Facebook or on their website.
And as for this little man...he's currently having a blast with his bucket and pail. He has no idea how much fun is in store once Sea Life Aquarium opens!
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