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City council approves expansion of Virginia Beach Aquarium

Posted at 7:23 PM, Oct 07, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-08 20:52:31-04

Update: On Tuesday, the city council approved an expansion of the Virginia Beach Aquarium. This approves the opening of Virginia's largest "aerial forest park which is scheduled to open next summer. 

The conservation garden will open in the fall of 2014.

Virginia Beach, Va. - A makeover is in store for the Virginia Beach Aquarium if city council agrees on an expansion that would include a zip line course and a conservation garden.

NewsChannel 3 asked Beth Bourbeau if she thinks her children would like the expansion plan and she responded,"Oh my gosh definitely!"

She's been bringing her kids to the aquarium for years.

"I come from up north and this is pretty much one of the best aquariums I've been to. So anything they can expand on is amazing I think," she told NewsChannel 3.

At a presentation Tuesday night, aquarium representatives will showcase the expansion plan then city council will vote.

"I say go for it. I think it's a great idea," says Courtney Heine, who goes to the aquarium often.

The aquarium is partnering up with Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation for the project, and together, they're planning for a zip line that would travel over a conservation garden. A nature center, amphitheater and butterfly garden are also possibly in the works.

"That's pretty amazing stuff to be adding," Bourbeau says.

And as far as tourism goes, some think it could be a major pull to Virginia Beach.

"I think it would be great for the economy in terms of having people come and tourists. I know that's not always the best thing, but at the same time, the revenue you're going to get will be really good for the area," Heine told NewsChannel 3.

The vote is scheduled for Tuesday night.