ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, June 17, 1996 TAG: 9606190012
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
A two-year, $36.7 million project that tripled the size of the Virginia Marine Science Museum has been completed, although a few exhibits remain unfinished.
About 300 people attended the grand opening of the 120,000-square-foot museum Saturday.
``We're open on time and within budget,'' said Mac Rawls, museum director. ``And as other museum people can tell you, that is something very rare in this business.''
During the grand opening ceremony, divers were busy preparing the 300,000-gallon Norfolk Canyon aquarium for the sharks and other creatures of the sea that will be brought in later this month. Also unfinished is the habitat for harbor seals, which are waiting in Mystic, Conn., to move into their new home.
Nevertheless, guests at the grand opening found plenty to do. For 18-month-old Zachary Zapatero, sea turtles were a favorite attraction.
``The changes here are just incredible,'' said his father, Dag, a Virginia Beach dentist, as he hoisted Zachary far above his head for a closer look at a giant reptile performing an intricate water ballet.
In the Owls Creek Marsh Pavilion, it was the river otters who stole the show. Five of the sleek, web-footed mammals slipped and slid from shore to pool, executing a series of underwater barrel rolls, then climbed back out for a breather before repeating the act.
When one of the otters approached the glass for a closer look at his audience, 10-month-old Taylor Lyon of Virginia Beach pressed her nose to the tank and made gentle patting motions.
``I think she's found someone of like mind and spirit,'' Taylor's mother, Brenda, said. ``This is the greatest thing. She's just been mesmerized.''
LENGTH: Short : 42 linesby CNB