No Bond for the Aquarium

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The Living Planet Aquarium will have to wait two more years for a chance to get public bond money.

"I'm really sorry to the Aquarium people, but I just feel like we should look at this a future year when things are a little bit more settled," lamented Salt Lake County Councilman David Wilde.

His regret was echoed by most of his council colleagues who voted to brush aside the Aquarium's request for a $34.5 million bond initiative. Instead, the council promised to negotiate with the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency about extending the lease of the Aquarium's proposed site downtown, while the nonprofit tries to raise more money and improve its proposal. Aquarium board member David Wolf refutes the council's concerns about an Aquarium's viability in Salt Lake County.

"We originally projected 75,000 people per year at the preview exhibit. We've had over 330,000 people in just a little more than two years," said Wolf.

The Living Planet Aquarium recently expanded its preview exhibit in a new Sandy location. The lease on the downtown Salt Lake land the Aquarium intends as its permanent home expires in two years. Aquarium board members say they are considering all of their options, including the possibility of funding the aquarium without tax dollars or staying in Sandy.

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