- December 3, 2025
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There they were on Oct. 6, Lakewood Ranch's Leslie Higgins and Sarasota's Nancy Scanlon, with their bodies crunched down on the floor as they tried to get a better angle to take photos at the one of the huge fish tanks in the Mote Science Education Aquarium.
The two seniors had a bit of trouble getting back up, but they didn't care.
They were laughing, having the time of their lives.
"Awesome," Higgins said of the new aquarium.
"Amazing," Scanlon added faster than an otter could break the surface of the water.
They weren't alone in their jubilation. A stream of patrons gave their evaluation of the facility with one-word superlatives.
"It's the dynamics," Scanlon said. "The design. The colors."
"I appreciate the education," Higgins said. "I can't wait to bring my grandchildren."
Those who were visiting Oct. 6-7 were being treated to a Mote members' sneak preview. The aquarium opens to the general public Oct. 8.
That ended a grinding process since November 2020 in which architect TVS Design and builders Willis Smith Construction and Whiting-Turner pieced together the dream of CEO-President Michael Crosby and his Mote Marine family. Crosby called it a very long Mote SEA voyage.
The $132 million aquarium can now begin to host the projected 700,000 visitors annually along with more than 70,000 students a year from the region.
"When we started, even the land didn't exist," said Kevin Cooper, Mote's vice president for communications and strategic initiatives. "It was a lake (at Nathan Benderson Park), so we had to build the ground upon which the facility was built. It took us a couple of years just to do site preparation."
Although Cooper said a few animals still wait to be added — he said the permitting process was challenging — the scheduled lineup of attractions is pretty much complete. He said over time, Mote will continue to add other species as warranted.
Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn was among the dignitaries who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 3.
"It's a top-notch marine research facility," Rahn said. "As far as tourism, it's going to take the region to another level. You are going to have the beaches, the sunshine, and the aquarium."
Willis Smith President and CEO John LaCivita took a photo with his team at the entrance to the aquarium after the ribbon cutting.
"We couldn't be more proud," LaCivita said. "It's a landmark, and Willis Smith is known for landmarks."
Willis Smith Vice President Dave Otterness added, "We've never done a project like this, but we helped to bring the Gulf of Mexico out to Lakewood Ranch and UTC."
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan said it took Crosby to steer the ship to the finish.
"You can have someone who has a vision, but can he execute?" Buchanan said. "(Michael Crosby) is an incredible salesman. This was a combination of everyone working together."
State College of Florida President Tommy Gregory said the educational component will be a game-changer, not only for grade school students, but for college students as well, and even his faculty members.
"We are going to be looking into partnerships with our faculty and Mote," he said. "It will provide a great hands-on experience."
Rep. James Buchanan called it a "great day for STEM, for my kids, and for future generations. Kids will be inspired to be our next scientists."
