After a four-year closure and several delays, the Atlantic City Aquarium is set to welcome visitors again by the end of this year. The popular attraction, located in the Gardner’s Basin bayside park, shut down in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and necessary repairs. According to Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, the aquarium is expected to fully reopen “sometime in December.”
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The aquarium’s Facebook page had previously announced a tentative fall 2023 reopening date, which was later shifted to July or September of this year. However, supply chain and funding issues, as well as unexpected problems like mold, caused delays in the exterior and interior refurbishments. Mayor Small emphasized the commitment to fully completing the work to ensure the aquarium is the best it can be.
Renovations including roof replacements, window upgrades, HVAC installations, and interior improvements have been completed. Remaining work on siding, trim, decks, railings, entry doors, and a new mural is nearing completion. Exciting new exhibits are also promised upon the aquarium’s reopening.
✨🎉🐠GARDNER’S BASIN IMPROVEMENTS 🐠🎉✨
Today, Mayor Small held a news conference at Historic Gardner’s Basin to highlight major improvements made, new projects coming, and to update the status of the Atlantic City Aquarium 🐟🐟
READ ⤵ https://t.co/FLKjQerpU5 pic.twitter.com/8OsLJuo6Av
— City of Atlantic City (@AtlanticCityGov) September 30, 2024
Exterior upgrades were added to the project after securing funds from the American Rescue Plan in January. While the cost of the exterior work remains undisclosed, the interior received a $1.16 million grant from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority before the pandemic. Small expressed excitement about the forthcoming reopening and stated that the aquarium will rival the best in the country.
The Atlantic City Aquarium, situated at 800 North New Hampshire Ave and owned by the city, previously featured eight tanks with over 100 varieties of marine life in 29,800 gallons of water. Additionally, Gardner’s Basin is undergoing further renovations, including a new public bathroom facility and improvements to maintenance, security, and waste management.