Much to the dismay of neighbors, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is moving forward with plans to expand its popular tourist attraction home to the famous Winter the Dolphin.
Amid growing attendance and increasing parking issues, the Community Development Board approved a $45 million expansion plan this week. That includes a food court, coral reef exhibits, lab rooms, a theater, two four-story facilities to house animal life support systems, and a three-story parking garage that will hold more than 400 cars.
The expansion replaces earlier plans to relocate. But the decision angers some Island Estates residents already frustrated with increased trafficin the otherwise residential community.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, some residents think the aquarium has turned into more of a tourist attraction than marine rehabilitation center as it was originally intended. The shift happened after the aquarium gained international fame after the 2011 release of the Hollywood blockbuster “Dolphin Tale” that chronicles the story behind Winter and her prosthetic tail.
The dolphin has become a beacon for amputees as well as Clearwater’s very own marine celebrity.
Island Estates resident David Dively told the Times he doesn’t think his neighborhood is an appropriate place for a Sea World-type attraction.
Others question whether the aquarium’s original goal of rehabilitating injured marine animals remains a priority. Aquarium officials contend the existing facility cannot adequately accept additional injured dolphins, which runs counter to the facility’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium David Yates has said expansion plans will include ways to relieve traffic congestion in and out of the island. The island is accessible from one entrance along the already heavily traveled Clearwater Memorial Causeway.
It’s not clear yet how the aquarium plans to handle traffic concerns, but the planned parking garage will alleviate parking concerns for the facility. It now uses four on- and off-site lots spread between the facility and downtown Clearwater.
More than 800,000 visitors annually visit the aquarium.
