STATE APPROVES $5 MILLION FOR NEW AQUARIUM BUILDING ROAD CLOSURES ANNOUNCED FOR MYSTIC HALF MARATHON ON SUNDAY

Mystic — The state Bonding Commission has approved $5 million in funding for the Mystic Aquarium's new 18,000-squarefoot conservation, education and research center.

The Bonding Commission approved the funding for the Milne Center for Ocean Science and Conservation last Friday. In announcing the funding last week, state Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, called the aquarium one of the state's top destination showpieces.

“These funds, that are more than matched by private donations, will keep visitors and tourist dollars flowing into our area. That means jobs and more opportunities for the entire region,” Somers said.

Earlier this month, the Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special-use permit for the center on the eastern portion of the aquarium's Coogan Boulevard campus.

The project is not designed to increase the aquarium's 750,000 annual attendance but improve animal holding, research and education areas. The building also will have public exhibits and viewing areas.

Aquarium officials have said the project will allow the aquarium to meet current accreditation standards for fish holding and education. Plans are to break ground for the facility in 2018, once fundraising is completed.

The Milne center is one of the initial phases of what Mystic Aquarium officials envision as a $25 million to $50 million update of the institution and its exhibits over the next decade. — Joe Wojtas

The Hartford Marathon Foundation, which will stage the popular Mystic Half Marathon and 10K on Sunday, has announced a series of road closures during the event that begins at 7 a.m. About 2,200 runners are slated to compete.

The following closures will be in effect:

Coogan Boulevard from Maritime Drive to Jerry Browne Road from 7 to 10 a.m.

Route 27 from Coogan Boulevard to Holmes Street, and Holmes Street from 7 to 7:10 a.m.

Route 1 from Holmes Street to Pearl Street and Pearl Street from 7 to 7:30 a.m.

Grove Street and River Road from 7:10 to 8:10 a.m.

Jerry Browne Road from Route 27 to Coogan Boulevard and Deer Ridge Road from Jerry Browne Road to Jacobs Way from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.

Jerry Browne Road from Coogan Boulevard to Mistuxet Avenue and Mistuxet Avenue from 7:30 to 10 a.m.

Deans Mill Road, Flanders Road and Pellegrino Road from 7:40 to 10 a.m.

Route 27 from River Road to Jerry Browne Road will have alternating one-way traffic from 7:20 to 8:25 a.m. Expect minor delays and use caution as runners will be on the road.

Pequot Trail from Deans Mill Road to Flanders Road will be open to traffic from 7:40 until 10 a.m. with runners on the road.

In announcing the closures, the marathon foundation said it “makes every effort to minimize the impact of the race on local roads and neighborhoods while bringing participants in to enjoy the Stonington and Groton communities.” The foundation suggests that those affected by the closures seek alternate routes during the race.

Anyone with questions can send an e-mail to info@hartfordmarathon.com. More information about the race is available at bit. ly/mysticrace. raffle for a trip for four to Knott's Berry Farm in California or Cedar Point in Ohio.

Upcoming blood drives in New London County include:

May 26, noon-5 p.m., Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, 365 Montauk Ave., New London.

May 30, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Marine Science Magnet High School, 130 Shennecossett Road, Groton.

June 1, 12:30-6:15 p.m., Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike.

June 5, 12:30-6:15 p.m., Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike.

June 6, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 224 Gold Star Highway, Groton.

June 8, 12:30-6:15 p.m., Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike.

June 9, 12:30-6:15 p.m., Waterford Town Hall, 15 Rope Ferry Road.

June 12, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Three Rivers Community College, 574 Norwich-New London Turnpike, Norwich; 12:30-6:15 p.m., Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike.

June 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Cardinal Honda, 531 Route 12, Groton; 1-6 p.m., St. David's Episcopal Church, 284 Stoddard Wharf Road, Gales Ferry; 1-6 p.m., Congregation Ahavath Achim, 84 Lebanon Ave., Colchester.

June 15, 12:30-6:15 p.m., Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike; 1-6 p.m., Snap Fitness, 1 Halls Road, Old Lyme; 1:30-6:30 p.m., Groton City Municipal Building, 295 Meridian St. Ext.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1 (800) 733-2767. interested young adults between the ages of 13 and 17. For more information, call (860) 859-0942 or visit the firehouse at 424 Hartford Road.