$6 Million Loggerhead Marinelife Center Opens in Juno Beach

Pictured at the ribbon cutting ceremony are (from l to r) Juno Beach Mayor Linda Hodgkins, incoming board Chairman Ray Graziotto, current board Chairman Skip Miller, County Commissioner Karen T. Marcus, former Juno Beach Mayor Frank Harris and Executive Director Nanette Lawrenson.

Ten years of planning the new Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach culminated Saturday as several supporters and County officials attended the official opening of the new $6 million facility. "This is an exciting day for all of us," Commissioner Karen T. Marcus told attendees at the 8:30 a.m. ceremony. "This is a great asset to our community [and] we will continue to watch the center grow with your support. Thank you for allowing the County to be a part of it."

In addition to Marcus, several other community leaders attended the ceremony, including Commissioner Jeff Koons, Board Chairman Skip Miller, incoming Chairman Ray Grazzioto, Executive Director Nanette Lawrenson and Juno Beach Mayor Linda Hodgkins. "Thank you for making our dream a reality," Miller said during the opening ceremony. "This has been 10 years in the making."

Boy Scout Troop 701 raises the center’s flags for the first time.

Also in attendance was Boy Scout Troup 701, who raised the center’s flags for the first time. After the ceremonial ribbon was snipped, the door’s opened and the center’s first visitors herded inside the two-story, 12,000-square-foot facility.

Jonah, a Loggerhead turtle, swims around in one of six new tanks in the center’s new turtle rehabilitation yard.

Adults and children viewed several aquariums, educational displays and a turtle rehabilitation yard, with six turtle tanks. As more funds are raised, future plans for the center include a large shark aquarium, a full-service veterinary clinic, and a touch tank for other marine life creature.