Aquarium leaders celebrate start of transformational renovation project

KURE BEACH, NC (WWAY)– A major transformation is now underway at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. A groundbreaking ceremony held Thursday marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of the cape fear’s most popular attractions.

Community leaders, aquarium officials, and supporters gathered Thursday to celebrate the start of a $65 million renovation and expansion project at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

The multi-year project will include several major new attractions, including a 400,000-gallon shark habitat, an interactive shark and ray touch pool, and a live coral reef exhibit.

Aquarium Director Joanna Zazzali said while construction is underway, the aquarium plans to continue engaging with the community through outreach programs and temporary exhibits.

“We are going to have a few exhibits. They will not be as grand as here in Kure Beach, but we will continue our education programming and outreach efforts,” Zazzali said. “We will be out in schools, senior centers, and community events.”

Aquarium officials also announced a smaller exhibit space is expected to open at Independence Mall in mid-June. A temporary gift shop is already operating at the mall.

As ceremonial shovels hit the dirt Thursday, project leaders said the next 30 months of construction will come with unique challenges.

Clancy & Theys Construction is overseeing the renovation project. Vice President Michael Goodson said building around live animal habitats requires specialized planning and expertise.

“We really understand what it takes to work alongside the animals,” Goodson said. “You have to understand their welfare and how to work around them. Even sourcing materials, like the 40-foot acrylic viewing window, is specialized work — there are only a handful of companies in the world that fabricate it.”

Construction on the aquarium expansion is expected to continue over the next two and a half years.