The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is staying put.
Aquarium board members and managers “elected to enhance and expand the existing Island Estates facility instead of relocating downtown.”
“The decision came after several months of dialogue, analysis, stakeholder input and weighing the available options,” aquarium spokeswoman Amy Binder said in a statement.
In August 2014 the aquarium revealed details of funding for its proposed $68 million facility. The aquarium said the facility would allow for additional educational outreach and care of rescued animals. Staff even released artist renderings of the proposed facilities.
On Thursday Binder’s statement said the decision to stay put “provides a quicker path to achieve our goals in support of our mission.”
The aquarium plans to renovate its existing facility. A master plan will be unveiled at a later date, the aquarium said.
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