Exploramer, located on the wharf of Sainte-Anne-des-Monts in Gaspésie, is a museum-aquarium that currently houses twenty-five tanks presenting some sixty marine species of the St. thousand individuals. Open to the public since 1995, between June and October, it welcomes 30,000 visitors in season.
Exploramer will soon begin a project to expand and develop its infrastructure. The work is aimed in particular at:
Renewing the permanent exhibition and setting up an ecosystem aquarium;
Construction of a St. Lawrence Shark Pavilion, that will include an aquarium of spiny dogfish and rays, and a digital show produced by Moment Factory.
Creation of an entertainment area for children and families;
Upgrading the current building and the exterior site;
The production of two temporary museum exhibitions.
The work will be divided into three separate sites:
1) the 1st site: the three basins (an ecosystem basin, a spiny dogfish and ray basin and a
reserve basin) - Engineering only;
2) 2nd project: construction of the Shark Pavilion - Architecture and engineering;
3) Site for upgrading the museum (current building) - Architecture and engineering. The first site:
Ecosystem basin
Construction of an L-shaped basin inside the existing building;
Dimensions indicated on the corresponding sketch;
A glazed wall, the other walls in concrete or fiberglass;
Reinforcement of the concrete floor slab;
Replacement/widening of the drainage system;
Staircase and handling platform at the back of the basin;
Life support equipment (chiller, pump, filtration, UV sterilization, skimmer, lights);
Connection of the basin to life support equipment and sea water intake;
Upgrading of electricity, ventilation, etc. needs.
Planning of needs related to the structure, ventilation and electricity in conjunction with the team
of the 3rd construction site and with the museology team of Exploramer in order to align the work and needs. Spiny dogfish and ray pond;
Construction of a semi-cylinder shaped aquarium in the new Shark Pavilion;
Dimensions indicated on the corresponding sketch;
A straight glazed wall (or two), the other walls in concrete covered with a non-abrasive Gelcoat;
Installation of a drainage system to municipal sewers;
Various structural works, including:
Life support equipment (cooler, pump, filtration, UV sterilization, skimmer, lights);
Connection of the basin to life support equipment and sea water intake;
Diving staircase, folding or removable;
Fiberglass grating platform above the main basin for access and maintenance;
Planning of needs related to the structure, ventilation and electricity in conjunction with the team
of the 2nd construction site and with the team of Moment Factory in order to align the work and needs. Storage tank for spiny dogfish and rays
Construction of a storage tank, round, in concrete or fiberglass;
Dimensions indicated on the corresponding sketch;
Life support equipment (chiller, pump, filtration, UV sterilization, skimmer, lights);
Connection of the basin to life support equipment and water intake at sea;
Ladder and handling platform around and above the basin. Other elements to consider:
An aquaculture systems specialist can support the team;
The biologist responsible for the living collection and systems will be integrated into the site team. TIMELINE:
Tender for a turnkey project of an ecosystem basin has been issued and can be followed in the report under ID name:
Construction of an Ecosystem Basin. Further update in winter/spring, 2024.
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