Atlantis announces grand opening date for exhibition center

Atlantis Marine World today announced a July 1 grand opening of its new L.I. Exhibition Center, which will open to the public with a butterfly and birds exhibit.

The exhibition center is housed, along with the Sea Star Grand Ballroom, within a 28,000-square-foot addition to the East Main Street aquarium.

The addition is part of Atlantis Holdings’ three-phased $24-million-dollar, 97,498-square-foot construction project, which includes the adjacent Hyatt Place East End hotel, scheduled for completion this summer, according to a press release issued by Atlantis May 17.

The Long Island Exhibition Center’s first exhibit – “Butterflies!” – will showcase thousands of butterflies and birds set in an enchanted garden. The exhibit will feature more than 30 species of North American and exotic, tropical free-flying butterflies, 20 different types of birds, and archerfish, according to the release.
 
“No matter what age you are, no matter what language you speak, everybody loves butterflies,” executive director Bryan DeLuca said. “And even though the exhibit will only be on display for a limited engagement, we encourage visitors to linger as long as they like while they can.”

Architect: BBS Architects & Engineers

Atlantis Marine World (AMW) opened in Riverhead, NY on June 15, 2000, as the first large-scale Aquarium to open in New York State in more than 35 years. Situated on 3.2 acres along the Peconic River, AMW is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm daily (closed December 25). AMW is also the home of The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, New York’s only authorized marine mammal and sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center. Atlantis Marine World was recently ranked by Parents Magazine as one of the “Top Aquariums for Kids.” Additional information can be found at www.atlantismarineworld.com