The museum plans to partially open in June and show five of its eight total galleries, said Margot López, the architect in charge of the project.
“These five galleries will relate the history of Panama,” said Lopez. “The idea in opening the museum little by little is to be able to offer a better service to visitors.”
ACTIVITIES
The first event that will take place in the Biomuseum will be held on January 29, 2013, and will be exclusively for those individuals or companies that have donated to the Biomuseum's fundraising campaign that set a thousand dollars as the target.
“The names of these people will be inscribed on a special wall of the museum called the 'wall of the founding donors' that will be in the atrium, the main courtyard of the Biomuseum,” explained the architect of the project.
On that day they will also announce the name of the person who will direct the Museum of Biodiversity.
CHALLENGES
One of the great challenges facing the Biomuseum is to train its staff, which ranges from the guides to the public school teachers who are working with this institution.
“The idea is to strategize so that everyone who is interested in visiting the museum can do so and can access this bridge of life.”
“I think that right now finishing construction on the building is the beginning of the challenge,” said López, who is aware that the community is eagerly awaiting the opening day.
ATTRACTIONS
It will have two aquariums measuring 10 meters long, a park covering 2.5 hectares and planted with 80% native Panamanian plants and other species that harmonize with the nature, in addition to potted plants that are designed to attract certain species of butterflies and hummingbirds.
“The idea is to change the mentality of human beings in terms of our relationship with the environment and to make them realize that everything natural that surrounds us is wonderful,” she stressed.
COST
“Phase A of the construction project includes all of the workers at the Amador Foundation, from the beginning of the project until today (10 years), educational programs and other items [excluding the aquariums, which are in Phase B and are still under cost-estimations], and has required an investment of $95 million,” explained López.
“I believe this is the biggest investment that has been made in culture, science and education in the country,” López expressed.
This public work will also create an impact on the tourism industry in the country. It is estimated that 75% to 80% of the annual visits to the Museum of Biodiversity, once opened, could be by foreign tourists.
