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Aquarium Builders: How to Begin

The feasibility study is the first step in building a new aquarium. Leisure Business Advisors LLC (LBA) specializes in conducting this study, which is generally required by financing institutions.  

The study provides market and financial analysis and projections. It also provides critical physical planning recommendations to assist the aquarium builder. It is critical that plans are in line with market needs and expected cash flow. These physical planning guidelines need to be in place before construction and building can start. Not only builders, but designers  and managers can also benefit from the guidance provided in the study.

As part of the feasibility study, LBA can work closely with you in preparing the initial image package that would assist designers and builders in the building stage of development that follows the feasibility stage. We could provide a walk-through description and color artist conceptual images of your new aquarium seen through the eyes of a typical visitor. These would preliminarily suggest its general "look and feel" in financing and marketing presentations. 

John Gerner, our managing director, has conducted many feasibility studies for aquariums and oceanariums over the past 20+ years. Gerner Consulting (the previous name of LBA) evaluated the attendance and financial impact of expanding the Maine Aquarium.

As a subcontractor to International Theme Park Services, he prepared valuations of Ripley's Aquarium in both Myrtle Beach and Gatlinburg, as well as a valuation of Colorado's Ocean Journey. This aquarium was later renamed "Downtown Aquarium - Denver" by Landry's Restaurants, Inc. He also conducted a feasibility study for a commercial aquarium that would have been part of the proposed Pointe Anaheim retail entertainment center in Southern California.

As a subcontractor to Economics Research Associates (ERA), he evaluated the expansion of the Virginia Marine Science Museum. He was a former principal of that consulting firm. During his time with them, he prepared an examination of the North American oceanarium industry for Dentsu, Inc. He evaluated expansion alternatives for the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Miami Seaquarium and the New York Aquarium. He also studied the feasibility of developing oceanariums in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

We pride ourselves on prompt service and are also sensitive to time constraints often involved in starting new development projects. If needed, assignments can be accelerated for an extra fee. Our standard fee includes travel costs and other out of pocket expenses, so there are no unknown charges. 

Click here to learn more about feasibility studies, the first step for aquarium builders. 

 

 


                                 

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