It was approved on the basis that the project would feature a series of community amenities, including 930 square metres (10,000 sq ft) of space on the ground floor that would be given to the town at no cost.

The founding volunteer board, chaired by Owen Redfern, included geologists Dr. John Harper and Dr. Rick Hudson, local politicians Cliff McNeil-Smith and Clive Tanner, and biologist Rhonda Reidy, with later additions including marine biologist Dr. Verena Tunnicliffe, and Town of Sidney councilor Peter Wainwright serving as liaison to the Council.

The project also received advice from a number of scientific and educational experts including Dr. Bill Austin and Sue Staniforth, along with Dr. John Nightingale and his staff at the Vancouver Aquarium.

The elders provided extensive advice regarding the Salish Sea and the First People's interactions and special relationships with the ocean and marine life through the generations.

With the support and effort of remarkable trades people, artists and contractors the centre opened on time and under budget after just 10 months of construction.

Coast Salish artist Charles Elliott was commissioned to produce a series of graphics that are reproduced throughout the centre, used in marketing materials and in the fish sculpture located outside the main entrance.

The freely assessable, outdoor tide pool feature associated with the aquarium, was a gift to the people of Sidney from the Gwyn Morgan & Patricia Trottier Family Foundation.

Prior to the June 20, 2009, opening date, Matthews assembled a small staff to operate the aquarium, supported by over 170 volunteer "Oceaneers".

[4] This exhibit shows many species of jelly fish, plankton, and algae to help visitors understand the foundations of the ocean food web in the Salish Sea.

Most of these species are housed in the main Gallery of the Salish Sea, notably including wolf eels, and a giant Pacific octopus.

Kept only for half a year, a single octopus inhabits the centre at a time, before they are released back into the waters they were caught from to complete their lifecycle and breed.

During their time at the centre, the octopuses increase in size dramatically, and show distinct personalities that can be attributed to their high cephalopod intelligence.

Hanging above the touch pool is the skeleton of northern resident orca A9, known as Eve or Scar, due to a marking behind her dorsal fin.

The Drawing Connections Gallery, which opened on February 24th, 2024, celebrates 40 years of the name "Salish Sea" being attributed to waters in British Columbia and Washington State.