'Our mission is to spark curiosity for marine life': New aquarium proposed for Dartmouth waterfront
A group looking to build an aquarium on the Dartmouth waterfront says their plans are gaining momentum.
Though still in the early stages, The Back to the Sea Society is looking to raise public and private funding to support the project.
Magali Grégoire founded the Back to the Sea Society in 2016.
"Our mission is to spark curiosity for marine life," said Grégoire, who is the society’s executive director.
Grégoire said she wants to inspire people to protect the ocean. In addition, she has bigger plans in place.
“Our ultimate goal is to open a community aquarium along the Dartmouth waterfront," said Grégoire.
She hopes to have the aquarium built by 2025. It would house a variety of ocean species.
"No mammals, said Grégoire. “All animals that can fit within a collective ‘hold and release’ philosophy."
Grégoire has already set up a pilot-project touch tank along the Dartmouth waterfront that allows visitors to see invertebrates such as sea stars, urchins, and crabs. Grégoire wants interest in the facility to spark government and corporate support needed to help build an aquarium within the next four years.
"We have started those conversations and so far the response has been very positive," said Grégoire.
For the aquarium idea to become a reality, Grégoire will request funding from the federal and provincial governments, as well as private donors.
Tim Rissesco from the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission said a possible aquarium would bring tourist revenues to the Dartmouth side of the harbour.
"As well, it will provide another community asset,” said Rissesco. “It would be a place for the community to gather and for schools to visit."
Both Grégoire and Rissesco suggest the aquarium would be a modest-sized building.
"We are looking at about an 8,000 square-foot facility,” said Grégoire. “About 2,000 square feet dedicated to exhibit space."
Grégoire also said a new aquarium would likely not have huge scale tanks, like those found in bigger aquariums around North America.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.