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Text Box: After five years of intensive planning, fundraising, and construction, at a cost of more than $14 million, the Riverside Aquarium opened its doors April 10 to great fanfare and high expectations. The board of directors predicts that the aquarium will draw more than 100,000 people each year and will infuse dollars into the struggling economy of the city. Indeed, more than 2,000 people visited the new facility on the first day. After being greeted by the aquarium’s mascot, visitors were treated to many educational programs, demonstrations, “feeding frenzies,” and breathtaking views of the six million gallons of water and the thousands of inhabitants in the aquarium’s many tanks.

Text Box: The River View glass wall located on the aquarium’s lower level was a favorite among the crowd. “It’s cool,” said seven-year-old Melanie Staley. “You can see all the fish in the river.” Riverside’s resident dolphins, Dolly and Finny, gave three performances in the aquarium’s Dolphin Stadium. The action-packed show incorporated dolphin acrobatics, audience participation, and highlighted the natural intelligence of dolphins.

Riverside has...

· Later hours on weekends

· Special rates for school groups

· Discounts for senior citizens

· Adopt-a-sea-creature programs

· Petting tanks

· And much more!

A monthly newsletter of the Riverside Aquarium

Communiquarium

Text Box: The Riverside Aquarium was awarded preliminary accreditation by the National Zoo and Aquarium Association (NZAA). Riverside’s CEO, Ray Bishop, attended the annual conference and received

Text Box: the official notification. The NZAA is a professional alliance of zoos and aquariums across the country that assists in the development of superior institutions and raises professional standards. The

Text Box: accreditation was granted after Riverside Aquarium submitted its proposal for animal care, conservation, education, and safety programs. "By connecting humans to