TEMPLE, Texas — The ownership of the planned 7 Seas Aquarium in Temple posted an update to its Facebook page Thursday assuring everyone "that all who have purchased passes to the aquarium will have their chance to see all the great sea life that is on the way."
This post follows multiple delays to the project that was supposed to open in the Temple mall at the end of January, then Feb. 24.
The curator, Fidel Junco, said this week the aquarium would open by the end of the month.
The post on Facebook said the delays were nothing more than "construction hiccups."
"In order to bring this project to fruition as soon as possible we have hired a construction expediter to help us break through any delays and get our aquariums ready for your first visit," the post said.
Meanwhile, several people on the 7 Seas Facebook page have asked to be refunded for the $99 pre-sale passes they bought.
According to the refund policy on the website, people who bought pre-sale passes have 30 days from the date of purchase to request a refund. If the facility fails to open, pass holders have 30 days from the date of that announcement.
Naomi Benavidez told 6 News she planned to go to the police if she did not get her refund.
"Ninety nine dollars is a good penny," said Naomi Benavidez. "It's at least a cable bill so I'm kind of angry."
Benavidez told us she got an email notifying her on Feb. 27 that her refund had been processed.
We called and texted Junco repeatedly over multiple days at the number he provided to the city but he had not returned any messages as of this writing.
The most recent Facebook post made no mention of refunds. It promised anyone who bought the passes would have them honored for two years from the date of their opening.
The City of Temple later responded with the following statement:
"The City of Temple adopted the 2015 Model Building Codes in Chapter 7 of our local Code of Ordinances, which we use to determine which permits we approve. The International Plumbing Code is one of those building codes adopted in our local code.
"Again, we still have not received a building permit application or any plan sets from Mr. Junco. We sent him a list of requirements based off our verbal conversations with him. Additional items may be required once we receive a completed plan set.
"We have been willing to work with Mr. Junco from the beginning, and we look forward to reviewing his building permit application and plan sets once he submits them. The City of Temple's priority is to ensure a safe and healthy visitor experience once the aquarium opens.
"7 Seas has engaged a local engineering firm to assist with the permitting process and City of Temple staff will be meeting with them on Monday to discuss the permitting submittal process."