Expansion/Groundbreaking Information

On Friday, July 19, 2002, over 300 members of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's community gathered to celebrate the start of our $10 million expansion project. Slated for a public opening in fall 2004, we will nearly double our size and provide new public education opportunities in our new Aquatic Nursery, Exploration Center and the Virginia Reid Moore Library.

In a ceremony held on the job site behind the current auditorium, speakers included LA City Mayor James Hahn (pictured above); Manuel Mollinedo, General Manager of LA City Department of Recreation and Parks; Gary DeLong, past FCMA Board Chairman; LA City Councilwoman Janice Hahn and State Senators Deborah Bowen and Betty Karnette. Aquarium Director Dr. Susanne Lawrenz-Miller and Director Emeritus John Olguin donned hardhats to host the Golden Shovel Ceremony which included all attending in this step toward our new facilities.

Pictured above (from L-R) are: Manuel Mollinedo, General Manager of the LA City Recreation and Parks Department; Suzanne Campi, Executive Director of FRIENDS of CMA; LA City Councilwoman (15th District) Janice Hahn; John Olguin, CMA Director Emeritus; James Hahn, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles; Dr. Susanne Lawrenz-Miller, CMA Director; Dan Mueller, FRIENDS of CMA Board Chair

Pictured above (from L-R) are CMA staff members: Mike Schaadt, Exhibits Director; Jeff Landesman, Chief Aquarist; Dr. Susanne Lawrenz-Miller, Director; Ed Mastro, Exhibits Curator; John Olguin, Director Emeritus; Steve Vogel, Education/Collections Curator; Larry Fukuhara, Programs Director.

These demolition and site preparation photos were taken the week of July 22, 2002.

This is an artists rendering of our expansion project.
Visit this page for changing photo updates on our construction progress. Watch us grow!