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Aquarium team tells Port Canaveral commission 100% design, wastewater plan and expanding fundraising as next steps
Summary
East Coast Zoological Foundation and aquarium project leads reported a 100% design for an 11‑building campus, an on‑site wastewater treatment approach, and $74M committed toward a $140M aquarium target; PCL is under preconstruction services and PFM/Bank of America are advising funding.
Port Canaveral commissioners received a progress briefing on Jan. 28 from project staff and the East Coast Zoological Foundation on the proposed aquarium campus adjacent to port property.
Myles Zonka, introduced as the 2026 board chair for the East Coast Zoological Foundation, and Keith (project lead) described a full campus design now available for review. "We have a 100% design," Keith said, noting that 100% design allows the team to solicit accurate contractor bids and that a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) from PCL is expected after preconstruction bidding and negotiation. He invited commissioners to a detailed walkthrough of the design.
Project highlights presented to the board:
- Campus scale and design: an 11‑building, open‑air campus with centralized life‑support systems and a second‑floor function space that seats about 425 and offers launch and sunset views. The exhibit plan includes a visible, public Sea Turtle Care Center intended to showcase rehabilitation work and a permanent home for an unreleasable turtle named McNubbins.
- Wastewater and environmental approach: the team described an on‑site industrial wastewater treatment system that disinfects and desalinated display tank water for irrigation and reuse, minimizing discharges to local wastewater plants and aligning with the "Restore Our Shores" lagoon restoration focus.
- Funding and financing: the aquarium campaign target was revised upward to about $140 million (from earlier campaign totals), the presenters said they have $74 million committed and expect to reach about $100 million in committed funds by year end. PFM and Bank of America are advising on financing and PCL is providing preconstruction services. Presenters noted a recent Brevard County action that will allow the proposers to pursue tax‑exempt bond financing if needed.
Keith and Myles emphasized philanthropy and community fundraising — the team said the foundation nearly doubled its philanthropy staffing to accelerate gifts — and reiterated a commitment to linking one dollar from every paid admission to Indian River Lagoon restoration.
Next steps identified for commissioners: staff and the project team will continue finalizing GMP pricing with PCL (estimated weeks to a couple months for a final number), continue permitting work where required, and continue community outreach and fundraising.
