Pacific Seas Aquarium

Discover the Pacific Seas

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium’s new Pacific Seas Aquarium replaced the existing North Pacific Aquarium. The North Pacific aquarium originally opened in 1963 and was nearing the end of its ability to contain saltwater. The project included 35,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space in which visitors encounter aquatic life native to the Pacific Rim. A 260,000-gallon tank features a variety of marine life found in the warm waters between Baja California and mainland Mexico. An additional 65,000-gallon Puget Sound Community Tank houses marine life local to the Pacific Northwest. The project required extensive coordination and communication between multiple stakeholders, from Point Defiance Zoo and Metro Parks to OAC Services and multiple engineers. Turner’s Self-Performed Operations group (SPO) were critical in the pre-planning of this project as it features a large concrete component, with 3,665 cubic yards poured and 28,607 sq. ft. of steel reinforcement on grade and elevated work. Turner also self-performed the interior doors, frames, hardware, and fiberglass reinforced platform structures.