Brockville's Aquatarium busy during opening week

Brockville'sAquatariumhas officially opened to the public.

The 27,000 foot discovery centre on Broad Street features fish tanks, a playgroundand many other interactive displays.

The Aquatarium has been open for a week now and several schools have already visited the new facility.

"I was so overwhelmed so I can only imagine what the kids are like," said Caroline Gillis, a teacher at Front of Yonge Elementary School.

"I didn't expect this, we visited the Toronto Ripley's Aquarium and it's comparable for sure."

The $25 million facility, which saw its opening date pushed backmultiple times over recent years,received$5 million fromthe City of Brockville.

Brockville mayor David Henderson saidthe project was one that cost a lot, but will hopefullybenefit the community in the long run.

"It's a big project for a small community. Money-wise, there will bea burden on us for some time but that's one side of it," Henderson said.

"The other side is the impact that it will have on the community. People are pretty ecstatic about it."

The city is expecting 30,000 to 50,000 Aquatariumvisitors this year.