Portobello Aquarium aquarium closed to public

Chlidonias · 14 Aug 2012

I just found out about this, the aquarium closed to the public on 1st of June until further notice.
Quake-prone aquarium shut | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News

2 June 2012

The University of Otago's aquarium at Portobello has been closed to the public because it has been assessed as earthquake-prone.

The aquarium operated seven days a week and attracted about 20,000 visitors a year.

Staff were told earlier in the week and the closure was confirmed yesterday, head of marine science Prof Gary Wilson said.

The aquarium building, built in the 1960s, is the smallest of the three main buildings within the Portobello Marine Laboratory complex.

The much larger 1980s-built marine laboratory building next to the aquarium and the newer New Zealand Marine Studies Centre on the landward side of the complex, will remain open.

Prof Wilson said no redundancies were expected, as staff members also worked in other parts of the complex.

Research and schools' educational programmes would be relocated to other buildings and would continue without interruption, he said.

Asked how staff had taken the announcement, Prof Wilson said they had been understanding.

"All staff are working together to do what is required to keep aspects of the work going."

It was not known how long the aquarium would be closed, sciences pro-vice-chancellor Prof Keith Hunter said.

"I understand the public will be inconvenienced by the move. However, while options for upgrading or replacing the aquarium facility as soon as practicable are being worked through, the facility will remain closed."

The university has been carrying out risk assessments on all its buildings.

Property services director Barry MacKay said the aquarium building was found to be less than 15% of the new-building standard for earthquake strength and was closed in accordance with the university's recently announced policy to close any building rated at less than 15%.

The aquarium houses about 100 different types of fish.

Mr MacKay said equipment and tanks would remain and those parts of the building would be immediately strengthened with temporary propping and bracing to allow staff to continue caring for the fish.
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Chlidonias · 17 Aug 2012

there's a thread on Tonmo (a cephalopod forum) with some more info. Rather than cut-and-pasting, I'll just link: Breaking news from Portobello; kinda sad kinda exciting

The gist of it is that the aquarium will probably be rebuilt on a different site, hopefully in or closer to town. If you've ever tried to get to the aquarium there you'll know it's a bugger without your own transport!!

Chlidonias · 26 Aug 2012

this article says the aquarium building is going to be demolished:
Earthquake-risk aquarium to be demolished | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News

30 June 2012

The University of Otago will demolish the aquarium at Portobello in Dunedin and build a replacement.
The decision to demolish the 1960s building comes after it was closed to the public earlier this month because it was found to meet less than 15% of the new-building standard for earthquake strength.

It previously operated seven days a week and attracted about 20,000 visitors a year.

The aquarium building, which houses 100 different types of fish, is the smallest of the three main buildings within the Portobello Marine Laboratory complex, with the other two remaining open.

The much larger 1980s-built marine laboratory building next to the aquarium and the newer New Zealand Marine Studies Centre on the landward side of the complex, will remain open.

Otago University property services director Barry MacKay said the aquarium building would be demolished in the "near future" and "initial planning" had begun for a new facility.

He said it was "too early" to say how much replacing the aquarium would cost and what the options for a new facility were.

Head of marine science Prof Gary Wilson said the university was "committed" to building a new aquarium accessible to the public, but was yet to decide where it would be built.

One of the options was to rebuild at the current site at Portobello, but he did not rule out building closer to the city.

"We haven't restricted our discussions to any particular sites at all," Prof Wilson said.

Among the considerations which would influence the final decision was ease of access for the public and the fact that moving away from Portobello would mean a new sea-water system would have to be built.

He said it was likely the new facility would first be opened for teaching programmes at the start of next year and then be opened to the public later in the year.

He added it was "not really" sad to see the old building go as it presented an opportunity to build a better facility.

"It's unfortunate that this has happened, but we have to make the best of it."

He did not know exactly when the building would be demolished, but said they would need new tanks for the animals before any work started.

Staff would not be affected by the decision to demolish the aquarium as none had been housed in the building since it was closed to the public.
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Portobello Aquarium aquarium closed to public

Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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Portobello Aquarium aquarium closed to public

Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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