New $24M aquarium on track to open in December


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DRAPER — The $24 million project is underway at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper. Since the groundbreaking last October, the foundation has been laid, most of the underground plumbing is complete, and half of the concrete on the first two floors have been set.

Concrete walls have been poured and will go up by May 20. The second floor will begin construction the first week in June, giving lots of time for exhibits to begin construction by end of June.

"This is a very complicated project and the cold, wet winter weather has been quite a challenge," John Ragan, owner representative for the aquarium, said in a press release. "We will only have about six months to complete some heavily themed exhibits. Our plan is to work together with the designers, Draper City, contractors and subcontractors to build out the interior consecutively, with multiple general contractors all working together with Tom Stuart Construction."


This is a very complicated project and the cold, wet winter weather has been quite a challenge. We will only have about six months to complete some heavily themed exhibits.

–John Ragan, owner representative for the aquarium


The 136,000 square foot expansion will provide new activities for families to participate in, including an education center with classrooms, interactive exhibits, three touch pools, and Utah's first 4D theater.

The penguin habitat will be four times bigger than the current one in Sandy, with the potential to have up to 30 birds.

The main attraction will be a 40x80 foot, 300,000 gallon shark tank equipped with a walk-through tunnel. It will house up to 50 species and 2,000 animals, including 24 sharks, 12 rays, and three sea turtles.

The current aquarium in Sandy will remain open until Sept 8 to allow for transition into the new aquarium in Draper. Take a virtual tour of the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium here.

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Tracie Snowder

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