Marine Science Center to Reopen June 24 After $4.2 Million Renovation
VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA – Volusia County’s Marine Science Center is set to reopen to the public on June 24, following a $4.2 million renovation project that began last September. The extensive improvements have enhanced marine exhibits, expanded education facilities, and upgraded visitor amenities.
The center, closed for about nine months to accommodate the project, now features several new attractions designed to deepen public understanding of marine ecosystems.
Key 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
Admission prices will remain the same: seniors 50 and older pay $7, adults 13 and older pay $8, youth ages 3 to 12 pay $5, and children 2 and under are free. Individual annual passes cost $21, and family annual passes are $60. Annual passholders from before the renovations have received extensions to cover the center’s closure period.
During the closure, staff has continued to provide care and rehabilitation for hundreds of birds and sea turtles brought to the facility. Since its opening in 2002, the center has treated more than 27,000 turtles and reptiles. The Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Facility, part of the Marine Science Center since 2004, has cared for over 19,000 seabirds.
Funding for the renovation came from a Volusia ECHO grant and the American Rescue Plan Act. The Marine Science Center encourages the public to continue supporting the center’s mission by making donations online at https://www.marinesciencecenter.com/support/adopt.stml
The Marine Science Center will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.marinesciencecenter.com or call 386-304-5545.