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Jenks Aquarium reports attendance on par with 2024, membership up 30%; new exhibits and pollinator garden highlighted
Summary
Aquarium staff reported attendance and revenue tracking with 2024, a 30% rise in memberships, schedule updates on the shark quarantine project, a completed upside-down catfish exhibit, and progress on a pollinator garden funded by the Stewart family foundation.
Aquarium staff reported that attendance and revenue are tracking close to 2024 levels, while memberships are about 30% higher than the same period last year. Staff said the membership increase is notable and suggested the board consider whether membership pricing should be adjusted next spring.
Kenny Alexandopoulos, an aquarium staff member giving the report, said attendance and revenue are "neck and neck with 2024," and that memberships are "30% right now, higher than they were in 2024." He recommended monitoring summer numbers and discussing a possible membership price increase in the following spring, specifying that ticket prices would not be affected.
Staff gave project updates: materials for the shark quarantine facility are still arriving, and staff expect to begin epoxy work on the main concrete tank once electrical components and an epoxy delivery are confirmed — staff estimated work could begin in about a month but gave no fixed schedule. Alexandopoulos described the aquarium's in-house approach to design and construction, including piping and 3D modeling used to calculate lengths and fittings.
The board heard that a new small exhibit featuring an "upside-down" catfish is complete in the Extreme Fishes gallery (located just left of the lionfish exhibit). Alexandopoulos described a decorative, upside-down castle and lighting built specifically for the species and said the exhibit is already drawing positive visitor reactions.
Staff said a slow leak in the shark tunnel has stopped on its own; Greg Helms inspected the concrete and confirmed there was no structural concern. Regarding grounds, staff described a pollinator garden in the front of the aquarium funded in part by the Stewart family foundation. The garden contains milkweed to support monarch butterflies and other native plants; staff said the planting may not formally open this year to allow plants to establish and reduce risk of trampling.
Other updates included an indoor Easter event that drew strong attendance, an unveiling of an aquarium wall wrap at the Cox/Harvest Center with positive feedback, an upcoming annual run on June 7 and a nearly complete donor wall in the Great Hall. Staff invited board members to schedule a brief on-site tour and to view a short exhibit video after the meeting. No formal votes were taken on these items.
