The long-awaited Taichung aquarium is expected to open next year after more than a decade of development.
The building in Cingshui District (清水) is to feature a large ocean aquarium on the first floor, coral display area on the second floor, a jellyfish tank and Dajia River (大甲溪) basin display on the third, a river estuary display and restaurant on the fourth, and a cafe and garden on the fifth.
As it is near Wuci Fishing Port (梧棲漁港), many are expecting the opening of the aquarium to bring more tourism to the harbor.
Photo: Chang Hsuan-che, Taipei Times
Speaking at the city council on Monday, Taichung City Councilor Yang Tien-chung (楊典忠) called on the city government to coordinate with the Fisheries Agency and fishing associations to cater the area to tourists.
Taichung Deputy Mayor Huang Kuo-jung (黃國榮) replied that the central government would be responsible for such a project, and vowed to coordinate with the relevant agencies.
The facility began development more than 10 years ago as a penguin conservation center, then later as an Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin conservation center, jellyfish conservation center and general aquarium.
After many additional rounds of investment to build additions and unsuccessful attempts to find an operator, the building remained empty.
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