A new US$75m (€64.4m, £57.3m) aquarium is in the works for Kansas City Zoo, with the attraction’s CEO Randy Wisthoff unveiling a proposal for the new addition.
Currently in the planning stage, the aquarium will cover 65,000sq ft (6,000sq m) to 70,000sq ft (6,500sq m) and house large tanks with 700,000 to 750,000 gallons’ worth of water.
The aquarium proposal offers two temperature-differentiated ocean biomes – one warm water, one cold water.
US$40m (€34.3m, £30.5m) will be provided over the next four years by the Zoological District, according to the zoo, while private financiers have pledged US$22m (€18.9m, £16.8m) towards the project.
"Over the time between now and when it would open, we’re projecting 100 new jobs" said Wisthoff. "The aquarium is projected to bring in 80,000 new visitors from outside of Kansas."
This month, the Finance and Governance Committee of the City Council approved the aquarium's development, meaning the resolution will now go to the full City Council for final approval. If funding is approved, the aquarium is provisionally scheduled to open in Q2 2022.
