Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/18929
LONGBEACHMAGAZINE.COM 63 Yet it still looks right here in Long Beach for connections to make a meaningful impact. In a partnership with the Miller Children's Hospital, the Aquarium streams live video from inside its exhibits to the patients in the hospital. In the early 1990s city leaders saw the potential that an aquarium would bring to Long Beach. They decided the best option was to fund the building by issuing bonds under a 501c3 nonprofit. Studies indicated that ticket sales and ancillary spending could pay the debt service. It soon became clear, however, that this would not be the case. Continuing to see the importance and the value of the aquarium to Long Beach, city leaders agreed to restructure the bonds. The city became responsible for the bond payment and the aquarium building and facility became the property of the City of Long Beach and its citizens. The Aquarium of the Pacific 501c3 nonprofit organization became the operator of the facility. It pays more than $3.5 million each year in rent to the city. Donors want to see their contributions put toward enhancing this great facility. Recent contributions have been made for new exhibits, such as the Molina Animal Care Center, the Sea Otter exhibit and Science on a Sphere. As it looks to the future, the Aquarium of the Pacific plans to continue to strengthen and grow. The City of Long Beach has reviewed and approved the expansion plans, which will increase the value and capacity of the aquarium facility and will be funded entirely from non-city funds raised by the Aquarium of the Pacific. The Aquarium of the Pacific is Long Beach's aquarium. It is an investment to improve the economy, stature, and culture of our city. It has met and exceeded expectations to create not only a world-class aquarium, but also much more. It enhances the attraction for conventions and tourists, augments the downtown area, helps expand the local economy, and most importantly, contributes to a sense of pride for residents. While everyone in Long Beach may be proud of our Aquarium's first 12 years, the next 12 are going to show it bursting with activity! In the end, each of us in Long Beach owns a piece of something that makes our city a better place for ourselves and our planet. n Aquariuim of the Pacific 100 Aquarium Way 562.590.3100