County Joins Study of Harbor Aquarium

Ventura County officials Tuesday moved forward with a study of a proposed marine education and environmental center at Channel Islands Harbor.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to pay its share of a $90,000 study to examine the feasibility of building the $25-million facility. Under terms of that contract, the city of Port Hueneme will pay $10,000 while the county, the city of Oxnard and the Channel Islands Development Co. Inc. will split the remaining $80,000.

The study, which is to be completed by Aug. 1, will determine the economic viability of the proposed aquarium-type facility.

“These studies we think are essential to determine if the proposed Eduquarium is a feasible project at the harbor,” said Peter Pedroff, director of the county’s General Services Agency.

The aquarium proposal is part of a larger plan to redevelop the aging harbor.

Supervisors in April approved in concept a massive $169-million redevelopment plan despite protests from residents of nearby Silver Strand and Hollywood Beach, concerned about traffic and a flood of tourists.

Last month, supervisors ordered an environmental review of that redevelopment plan, which includes renovation of the 30-year-old harbor, construction of a high-rise hotel and the creation or renovation of public parks, fishing areas, launch ramps and docks.