March 20, 2000
Cheerful crowds celebrate the opening of the Seymour Center
By Tim Stephens
By all accounts, the grand opening of the Seymour Center at Long Marine Laboratory
on March 11 and 12 was a huge success. More than 2,000 people visited the center
on each day of the grand opening weekend for a total of about 4,500 visitors.
 |
| The first visitors through the door of the Seymour Center, Gunther and Carol Machol,
took part in a ceremonial kelp cutting during opening day celebrations. The first
children to visit, Megan and Renee Higginbottom (not pictured), held the kelp at
each end. Photos: UCSC Photo Services View more photos |
The Ocean Discovery Shop did brisk business, selling out of some of the most popular
items. And the Friends of Long Marine Lab signed up 163 new members over the weekend,
said Lisa Rose, executive director of the friends group, which helps support the
Seymour Center and other programs at the lab.
The burst of activity at the Seymour Center continued right into the following week
and shows no signs of slowing down. "We are still really busy," Rose said.
The center's programs for school groups are fully booked through the end of the school
year, said center director Julie Barrett Heffington.
The Seymour Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday
from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for students, seniors, and youth
(ages 6 to 16); and free for children age 5 and under. Admission is free for members.
