History
Construction on the Aquarium began in 1999, and it opened on June 15, 2000. The Town of Riverhead bought the land in 1995 with the hopes the Okeanos Foundation of Hampton Bays, New York would operate it as part of a rehabilitation project of the Peconic waterfront. However, Okeanos was unable to raise funds. Space has been given in the Aquarium to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation.
The Aquarium's original cost of $15 million was provided by developers James J. Bissett and Joseph M. Petrocelli. Bissett's family owns the Bissett Nursery in Holtsville, New York. Petrocelli's family owns Petrocelli Construction based in Ronkonkoma, New York, as well as Raphael Vineyard.
On July 1, 2011, it changed its name to Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center after undergoing a $24 million expansion including a brand-new Exhibition Center, a 28,000-square-foot (2,600 m2) Sea Star Grand Ballroom (which joined its successful catering component, Atlantis Banquets & Events), as well as construction of a 100-room waterfront Hyatt Place Hotel. The Aquarium also owns and operates a 120-slip marina called Treasure Cove Resort Marina. The Aquarium was featured in the 5th season of The Apprentice.
Read more about this topic: Long Island Aquarium And Exhibition Center
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