OKC Zoo Pushes For New Aquarium

The Oklahoma City Zoo feels the possible MAPS 4 penny sales tax could fund a state of art aquarium. Right now, the state’s largest facility is the 72,000 square-foot Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks, which opened in 2003. “We envision something on a

Monday, January 21st 2019, 5:06 pm

By: Karl Torp

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The Oklahoma City Zoo feels the possible MAPS 4 penny sales tax could fund a state of art aquarium.

Right now, the state’s largest facility is the 72,000 square-foot Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks, which opened in 2003.

“We envision something on a much grander scale,” says OKC Zoo Executive Dir. Dwight Lawson.

Lawson pictures a 100,000 square-foot space, costing around $100 million. It would be located in or near downtown OKC.

He says the newer aquariums seen in cities like Atlanta and Chattanooga, TN., could serve as inspiration for OKC.

“They aren’t just incredible experiences inside, but the building itself is an iconic structure that augments the skylines they are in,” says Lawson.

The zoo has already had a feasibility study that shows the state could support two major aquariums.

The zoo has had the idea for a new aquarium for years, but says MAPS 4 gives the city a realistic chance of making it a reality.

The zoo is currently waiting on the results to an economic impact study, which it will present to the City.

The City is now taking MAPS 4 ideas and residents will eventually vote on the ballot measure.

Karl Torp

Karl Torp is an award-winning journalist who’s been part of the News 9 team since 2012. He co-anchors the 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts on weekdays. Karl loves telling Oklahoma’s unique stories, and he’s also a huge sports junkie. He loves to think of trades that would help the Oklahoma City Thunder win a World Championship (despite knowing little to nothing about salary caps and luxury taxes).

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