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Roundhouse Aquarium to Hold Open House

Apr 03, 2018 06:41PM ● By Jeanne Fratello

The temporary home of the Roundhouse Aquarium

By Lynn Gross

The Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium will hold an Open House on Saturday, April 14 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. to highlight its temporary facilities near the foot of the Manhattan Beach Pier.

The aquarium’s past and future home, the Roundhouse at the end of the pier, is undergoing extensive renovation that will be featured at the open house through an exclusive video. Produced by Eric Martin, the aquarium’s aquarist, the video will give attendees a sneak peek at the current construction occurring inside the Roundhouse. Staff and board members will also be available to talk about the aquarium’s overall plans.

The open house will also feature many of the animals that the aquarium is known for, including the octopus, the garibaldi, rock fish, sea horses. A large touch tank contains many sea stars and their cousin tide pool inhabitants to delight both children and adults. Refreshments will also be provided.

To get to the temporary aquarium, go to the foot of the pier and follow the signs to the south end of the parking lot. The aquarium is housed in the rectangular trailer encased in a bright blue fish-oriented wrap.

The aquarium has been operated since 1979 by a non-profit group, Oceanographic Teaching Stations. Its main mission is to teach some 15,000 school children a year about the ocean, its inhabitants, and its environment. It is also open to the public weekdays from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. and weekends from 10:00 a.m. until sunset.

In addition, it has a thriving volunteer program for high school and college students and adults.

The current renovation is being spearheaded by the Harrison Greenberg Foundation. Although the outside of the Roundhouse cannot be changed because of its historical significance, the inside is being completely rebuilt.

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