The Gulfarium Dolphin Oasis project was an addition to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The PCL team constructed three new dolphin habitats with associated Life Support Systems, as well as a 480-person covered bleacher seating area and a 1,600-square-foot Encounter Building which houses a restroom and change-room facility.

The three dolphin habitats—namely the Encounter Habitat, Exhibit Habitat and Show Habitat— collectively hold 1.1 million gallons of water. Construction also included three husbandry habitats and a medical lift built alongside the habitats. 

Collaborating closely with the Gulfarium, the PCL team implemented a state-of-the-art Life Support System to ensure the health and safety of the 11-15 resident dolphins. This Life Support System circulates and filters the habitat water to maintain a habitat that is conducive to the dolphins’ needs. It has a turnover rate of 110 minutes, meaning the system circulates 10,000 gallons of water per minute. The system includes over 30 pumps, four 12-foot diameter filters, four high-pressure filters, fractionators, heat exchangers, aeration, ozone generators and an intake system that brings water directly from the Gulf of Mexico.

Spanning across 2.2 acres of sandy dunes, this project exemplifies the Gulfarium's unwavering commitment to animal welfare, conservation education and elevating guest experiences. Beyond the aquatic features, the PCL team also executed the construction of hardscaping, landscaping and fencing to complement the completed project.