Making a splash: Belle Isle Aquarium and Conservatory reopening
Erica Hobbs
View Comments
After more than a year of closures due to COVID-19, Detroit’s Belle Isle Aquarium and the island’s Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory are reopening to the public, showcasing renovations, as well as new plants and exhibits.
“It was very clear that we needed to utilize this time and leverage it to enhance the experience, so when it was time to reopen, we could do so with a splash,” said Michelle Hodges, president and CEO of Belle Isle Conservancy.
Those enhancements include $1.2 million in improvements to the aquarium, including upgrading exhibits, stabilizing critical life support systems and modernizing infrastructure. While most of the changes are behind-the-scenes – like electrical system upgrades and a new water testing system – visitors will notice marked improvements when they enter the building.