Proposal for aquarium funding moves forward to council

A public aquarium in Halifax is one step closer to reality, with operating funding being requested at Halifax Regional Council.

Dov Bercovici, president and CEO of the Discovery Centre, presented the plans virtually on Thursday for the new aquarium opening in the Steele Ocean Sciences building on Dalhousie’s Studley campus in autumn 2025.

He gained approval from the municipality’s planning committee to bring the motion to council requesting $200,000 annually to support operating funds.

The centre has already received $8.2 million from donor Ross Beaty for building but is hoping the municipality will help with the costs of day-to-day operations over the next five years.

Margaret Campbell, exhibit content developer at the Discovery Centre, is hoping the space will be an excellent educational tool for visitors.

“This centre will really be a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most interesting scientific work that’s happening right here in our city,” said Campbell.

The interactive facility will be 8,000 square feet and include exhibits, digital displays, and over 25 different species of live animals.

A 18-metre blue whale skeleton will be on display and there will be three large tanks showing ocean terrain of the deep sea, a rocky reef, and a seagrass meadow.

“It’s going to empower youth from all backgrounds who have an interest in science and conversation to pursue this as a career path,” said Campbell.

The centre will be one of the first of its kind in Nova Scotia and the group is already quite far along in the development with hopes to open in the fall.

Named the Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity, it was officially announced by Dalhousie in May 2023.

Coun. Becky Kent (District 3, Dartmouth South-Woodside-Eastern Passage) was enthusiastic about the partnership with the university.

“It’s exciting that it’s linked to Dalhousie as there’s so much great stuff going on there,” Kent said.

Although this is the first time officially presenting to councillors, Bercovici was recommended by Coun. Tony Mancini (District 6, Dartmouth East – Burnside) to bring it to the committee.

“We’ve been talking about an aquarium way before my time on council,” said Mancini. “It’s worthwhile to take it to the next step.”

Coun. Cathy Deagle Gammon said she’s deeply concerned about supporting the five-year funding but agreed to bring the motion forward to present to council later.

The centre anticipates that 10,000 young people and 50 schools will visit in the first five years.