Marine Science Center Reopening June 24th

The Volusia County Marine Science Center is scheduled to reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 24th, debuting a series of expansive renovations that’ve been in the works. The Center, located in New Smyrna Beach, functions both as an educational public attraction and a wildlife refuge center. The closure will have lasted about nine months, with $4.2 million invested into updating and enhancing the amenities at the Marine Science Center. The Volusia County government detailed some of these updates in their announcement. New additions to the Marine Science Center include the John Crisp Artificial Reef Exhibit, a 1,500-square-foot multipurpose educational building, exhibits depicting living shorelines and living reefs, a working coral lab available for high school and college student research, an enhanced parking area, and an aquarium quarantine deck so that new fish can be more safely introduced to their habitats. Those worried about an increase in admission prices would be relieved to learn that the county will not be raising them. Tickets will still be $8 standard, $7 for seniors 50 and over, $5 for children 3 to 12, and free for children 2 and under. An annual pass will cost $21 for one individual, and $60 for a family. Annual passholders whose terms were impacted by the closure are having their terms extended to compensate.