About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
Description
The Living Planet Aquarium is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides the community with many educational opportunities to understand and respect our precious Earth and its living ecosystems, from the Utah deserts and mountains, to rain forest habitats, to the planet’s vast oceans.
The Living Planet Aquarium has become one of Utah´s most unique and popular attractions, and is definitely a must-see if you are planning a trip to Utah. Exhibits feature: sharks, rays, seahorses, Sea jellies, octopus, piranha, rescued Green sea turtles, Gentoo penguins and more! It is a unique opportunity for the many landlocked Utahns, particularly children, who have not previously had the chance to interact with such creatures.
Mission
To inspire people to explore, discover and learn about Earth's diverse ecosystems.
Timeline
The Vision: In 1998, Brent V. Andersen, marine biologist, began developing a vision for a world-class aquarium in Salt Lake City.
Outreach: In 1999, the “Aqua Van” was outfitted with educational exhibits and began visiting Utah schools.
Preview Exhibit: In June of 2004, A Preview Exhibit of The Living Planet Aquarium opened at the Gateway Mall. The 10,000 square foot public exhibit displayed local freshwater animals and marine life from around the world, and offered an exclusive experience never before available in Utah. Attendance far exceeded projections with over 150,000 visitors per year.
Expansion: In June of 2006, The Preview Exhibit relocated to a much larger (43,000 square foot) building in Sandy. Since the re-opening, the Aquarium added 10 new major exhibits and featured over 1,700 animals and 340 freshwater, saltwater and rainforest species.
Future Plans: Looking forward, The Living Planet holds a vision for the future that includes a larger aquarium for the people of Utah. The new Aquarium, now known as Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, will be located in Draper at 12033 S. Lone Peak Parkway, and will be an iconic and unique building, encompassing over 136,000 square feet. It will feature 44-62 exhibits and include 1 million gallons of water in its tanks. The Aquarium will provide a new and exciting activity in which the whole family can participate throughout the entire year. In addition to pure entertainment, it will offer educational programs, field trips, and hands-on learning that would not otherwise be accessible to Utah’s children. The Sandy location closed September 8, 2013 to allow for transition to the new building. The new location is scheduled to open in December 2013.*
*Dates subject to change due to weather and unforeseen circumstances
