Advocates for Belle Isle facility
will hold last-minute events to fight April 3 closure.
By Judy Lin / The Detroit News
Sunday, March 27, 2005
DETROIT -- Fish fans have until April 3 to visit the Belle Isle Aquarium
before it closes due to budget cuts.
And that means one more week of last-ditch lobbying for those who oppose the
shut-down.
Friends of the Belle Isle Aquarium is holding a string of events this week
aimed at keeping the aquarium, off Jefferson in Detroit, open. For more than
a month, members of the group have been rallying support and collecting
donations.
The group will hold a rally at noon Tuesday in front of the Coleman A. Young
Municipal Center. On Friday, a $100-per-plate benefit dinner and auction at
the Detroit Yacht Club will begin at 6:30 p.m. A final rally is scheduled
for 10 a.m. Saturday in front of the aquarium.
The city says it will save more than $500,000 annually from the aquarium
closing. Kate Alan, president of the Friends of the Belle Isle Aquarium,
said a boost in attendance combined with donations have yielded more than
$80,000. She says the group has even received a commitment from roofers to
make repairs at the aquarium.
For information about Friends of the Belle Isle Aquarium, visit
www.belleisleaquarium.com.
