IDAHO AQUARIUM LEASES BUILDING, BEGINS FUNDRAISING

          NAMPA – The Idaho Aquarium organization has begun a fundraising drive intended to finance a major public aquarium attraction at a site the non-profit group has leased in the Nampa Gateway Center.
          The group must raise $300,000 by Oct. 15 to proceed with turning the 10,000 sq. ft. space into a large public aquarium facility.         
          “We have been working on the aquarium idea for a long time and fundraising has been a challenge because we haven’t had a suitable building at a good site,” said Ammon Covino, chairman of the Aquarium board of directors. “When we found this perfect space in the Nampa Gateway Center, we felt it was time to go all in, so we’re proceeding with the project even though we don’t have the money yet to make the dream a reality.”
          An open house April 24 drew a large crowd to the building where supporters hope to create the Aquarium at the south entrance to the Gateway Center off Stamm Road. The future Aquarium building is just south of the JCPenney store.
          Nampa Gateway Center is a new shopping center development anchored by JCPenney and Macy’s at the corner of Interstate 84 and Garrity Boulevard in Nampa. It is owned and managed by Developers Diversified Realty of Beachwood, Ohio.
          Covino said funds that are raised to complete the Aquarium project will be kept in a special account and will be returned if the group does not raise the necessary money by the deadline. Contributions are tax-deductible.
          “We’re going to find out one way or the other whether people in the Treasure Valley really want a large public aquarium facility,” said Covino. “It they do, we’ll be successful in raising the necessary funds and we can begin bringing in fish, tanks, and all the equipment that is needed to outfit the facility. If people don’t want a public aquarium and our fundraising efforts fall short, we’ll return all the money and end our participation in the project. It’s really up to the community now.”
          Covino and business associate Chris Conk started working on the Aquarium project in 2007 and have come close several times to beginning construction, but there always seemed to be obstacles that were too difficult to overcome.
          “We spent more than a year negotiating with a private Trust and a local city government to build the facility, and it looked good initially, but the deal fell through,” said Covino. “When Developers Diversified made us the offer to lease their building, it seemed to the Aquarium board like a do-or-die situation, so we are plunging into a major fundraising effort.”
          The project originally was called the Boise Aquarium, but was changed to Idaho Aquarium when the project moved outside the City of Trees.
          According to Erik Christopher, senior vice president of leasing/development for Developers Diversified, the Idaho Aquarium is an innovative use of space and will be a great addition to the Nampa Gateway Center.
          “The Aquarium will attract families and tourists to the shopping center, and offers a dynamic addition to the community,” he said.    
          The Aquarium will represent a great opportunity for families and school groups to learn more about the ocean and its creatures, according to Covino.
          “It’s also worth noting that we plan to make sure the cost of passes and individual admissions are reasonable,” he said.