The answer is expressed in growing attendance and memberships. Aquarium educators are reaching 60,000 Utah students this school year. The aquarium's public ZAP funds are used 100 percent to bring additional science education to Utah schools and support the marine sciences program at Salt Lake Community College. New funds will provide essential teaching resources to 125 science teachers annually.
Over the past few months, members of the board of directors have resigned, citing "irreconcilable differences." However, all involved believe in the vision and mission of the aquarium.
Last fall, the past board lobbied the Salt Lake County Council to place an initiative on the November ballot to allow voters to decide on the use of public funds to build an aquarium. The council decided against the favorable recommendation of the Debt Review Committee. Instead, it recommended Salt Lake City extend the lease on RDA property at 400 South and 500 West for the aquarium.
If the RDA property or county bond does not materialize, the new aquarium board has several options for capitalizing the construction. Most North American aquariums were built with combinations of corporate sponsorships, private donations, and federal, state and private grants.
Recently, the competence and integrity of the current aquarium management has been publicly challenged. Brent Andersen, president, and his dedicated team of professionals continue to practice fiscal responsibility with complete transparency of all finances, operations and major decisions.
Kudos go to Andersen for quickly identifying a dishonest employee and taking decisive action. A new board will assure continued professional oversight. Annual and quarterly audits are available.
An aquarium is exactly what inland Utah needs. As Jeff Swanagan, director of the Georgia aquarium, said, "The people who live inside this country know the least about aquatic sea life. They have never seen dolphins or sunsets over the ocean. So, it's exactly the reason why an aquarium needs to be in the middle of the country, to educate the citizenry."
When the Living Planet Aquarium is completed, it will feature 90,000-square feet of visitor space with 1 million gallons of fresh and saltwater exhibits. More than 3,000 animals will represent 700 species. At least a million visitors are expected annually.
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* BRAD CARROLL is chairman of the board of The Living Planet Aquarium.
