The sting ray and shark touch pools received a $500,000 donation to be included in the new Caribbean Journey exhibit at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi. Courtesy Photo
A $500,000 donation to the Texas State Aquarium will aid two of Corpus Christi’s top attractions in its goal of “connecting people to nature and inspiring them to appreciate the wonders of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.” Donated by the American Electric Power Foundation, the money was given to sponsor the Shark and Stingray Touch Exhibit in the new Caribbean Journey building.
The AEP Foundation is the philanthropic arm of American Electric Power, a company that serves more than 5 million customers in 11 states and is one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S. With one of its seven headquarters located in Corpus Christi, the utility has a stated mission, values and strategy statement that promises support and contributions to the communities it serves.
Currently under construction, the expansion know as the Caribbean Journey, will almost double the size of the nationally recognized aquarium. The 65,000-square foot building will contain a 400,00-gallon tank for its shark exhibit, which will include a 65-foot-long display window.
A 100-seat capacity 4-D theater will be the only venue of its kind in South Texas.
“Now, as we approach our 25th anniversary, we are poised to realize the vision of our founders and complete the journey that was started more than 30 years ago,” the aquarium says on its website of the new exhibit. “We are embarking on a major campaign to create the Caribbean Journey, the final critical voyage of that ambitious original master plan.”
The Aquarium’s new Caribbean Journey is slated to open in 2017. It has been designed to inspire and educate through interactive, immersive exhibits. While doing that, it is expected to also increase the economic impact it has on the Coastal Bend region.
According to figures on the aquarium’s website, the new project will increase the facility’s overall economic impact to $69 million while supporting 887 area jobs and provide total salaries of $20 million. It is expected to produce more than $10 million in hotel room sales, generating more than $5 million for local taxing districts.
