Construction of the Bowen Aquarium on Florida's Space Coast is set to begin later this year. The project, part of the East Coast Zoological Foundation's 'Our Legacy Campaign,' will be built on a 5.6-hectare coastal site at Port Canaveral. Keith Winsten, CEO of the foundation, said the team is 'moving closer to seeing Bowen Aquarium come to life' and confirmed construction will start after the December 2 groundbreaking ceremony.
The aquarium will focus on Florida's native wildlife and serve as a regional conservation center. A key priority is restoring the Indian River Lagoon and its surrounding ecosystems. The facility will be operated by the same organization that manages the Brevard Zoo, which is also located in the area.
So far, $74 million has been raised for the project, which has a total funding goal of $140 million. A new fundraising campaign will launch next month to secure the remaining funds. The construction company PCL has been hired to oversee the project.
The aquarium is expected to become a major attraction alongside existing landmarks like the Kennedy Space Center and Brevard Zoo. Winsten said updates will be shared with the community and stakeholders as progress continues. The facility is anticipated to open to the public in the coming years.