The committee recommended the Zoo Trust authorize Dwight Lawson (Zoo Executive Director/CEO) to enter into negotiations with the firm used by the impressive Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, PGAV Destinations.
The Zoo has been quietly working with the Chickasaw Nation to develop an aquarium in the OKANA project, currently under construction next to the First Americans Museum.
The OKANA developers have mentioned that an aquarium would be included in Phase II of the project. The first phase will include a large hotel, conference center, indoor waterpark, shops and restaurants and a huge swimming lagoon.
Long-term plans for OKANA to expand to the west side of the museum grounds as well.
