Sea World Seeks Bigger Showcase

In anticipation of record summer crowds at Sea World’s Shamu Stadium, the private marine park has sought permission to expand the 5,000-seat amphitheater by nearly a third, a park spokesman said Wednesday.

Next Wednesday, the California Coastal Commission will consider Sea World’s request to add 1,500 seats to the outdoor stadium, to expand administration and warehouse buildings and to install shade cover at animal facilities, among other things.

“Our attendance has been at all-time high levels the past few years,” said Dan LeBlanc, a park spokesman, who said up to 40,000 people visit Sea World on busy summer days. With eight shows a day during the summer, he said, “5,000 seats is simply not enough. We try to be a park without lines. We don’t like people having to wait for our shows.”

If approved, LeBlanc said, the improvements would begin promptly in order to be completed by summer. He said he did not know how much the construction would cost.