More than 130 species of marine life will be showcased in a world-class, multimillion-dollar aquarium to be built in Guadalajara’s Parque Alcalde over the next 18 months.
Laying the first brick of the new attraction this week were representatives of Michin Guadalajara, the private company promoting the project, as well as city and state officials.
The Acuario Michin Guadalajara will be the first of five aquariums the company is planning throughout Mexico, said Michin representative Marisol Lozano.
With an projected investment of 270 million pesos ($US16 million), the aquarium will generate 140 permanent jobs at its conclusion and 500 during the construction phase.
The aquarium will serve multiple functions, including education, investigation, conservation and entertainment, said Lozano.
Not only will Michin build and operate the facility, the firm has also agreed to maintain the 30,000 meters of green space that comprise the Parque Alcalde.
The new aquarium will be divided into five pavilions showcasing a huge range of marine life in Mexico: Wixarica, Maya, Mixteca, Concac and Olmeca.
It is not clear whether the Guadalajara aquarium will outshine the one opened by Carlos Slim last year in Mexico City at a cost of $US19 million. The 11,500-square feet Aquarium Inbursa features 5,000 marine animals and 230 species. Entry to this attraction costs 125 pesos. It has been compared to some of the world’s most renowned aquariums found in Atlanta, Shanghai, Dubai and London.