“Needless to say, we’re thrilled,” said Poulsbo Mayor Kathryn Quade. The funding came about through a combined effort of citizens and politicians alike. The city expects to receive the money in July.

“It’s taken a year since we started this project,” said Bill Austin, founder of the Bight of Poulsbo organization. After the Marine Science Center closed last year, a number of efforts were made to get the center re-opened by the Bight of Poulsbo, including reviving the Mudstock festival in August last year, which raised $30,000 for the center.

Austin, along with other community members, including Kathleen Barrantes, put together a proposal for the state in an attempt to get funding, which was approved by Quade. They enlisted the help of 23rd District Representative Sherry Appleton and state Senator Phil Rockefeller to get the budget proviso into the short legislative session.

“Sherry took our word and she did a great job,” said Barrantes. “It was good work by Sherry and Phil.”

Meanwhile, the newly formed nonprofit Marine Sciences Institute, which will provide oversight in organizing the revitalized center, is putting together a mission statement and plan that will be presented to the city in the next few weeks for review and approval. The institute’s board includes Austin, Rear Admiral (ret.) Bruce Harlow, who will serve as president, John Hern of Courtesy Auto Group, and Rob Purser, the director of fisheries for the Suquamish Tribe.

The $250,000 won’t be enough, in and of itself, to run the center, so additional funding, grants and partnerships will be sought, as well.

“It’s our duty to educate our children,” said Austin, “and education is costly.”

If all goes well the center will be able to obtain an additional $250,000 from the state again next year, although that will depend, in part, on the city and the center being able to demonstrate to the legislature that the 2006 budgeted funds were put to good use.