POULSBO — Bight of Poulsbo founder Bill Austin found himself in the company of good friends and aquarium experts Thursday morning as work continues to revive the Poulsbo Marine Science Center.

The now-closed downtown building is a familiar place for Scott Horner of BIOS, LLC, which specializes in aquariums, and Hal Peterson, who builds aquarium interiors and other stonecrafted displays.

“About 20 years ago, BIOS did the master plan for the Poulsbo Marine Science Center,” Horner said. “We were very involved in the project.”

When the center closed its doors to the public in March 2005, Horner said it was a sad time, because he and his children had enjoyed spending time at the center.

“It’s one of those things that is near and dear to my heart, and it’s a chance to do something right in our backyard,” he said.

Unlike its previous design, the center will take on more of an aquarium feel in its entryway, but at the same time remain true to its educational purpose, he said.

“Instead of a bunch of small tanks, there are going to be some larger ones,” Horner said.

For Peterson, being able to help revamp the center is an opportunity to give back to a place that is the source of many fond memories.

“It’s a chance to come back and enlighten and educate people about my favorite tidal flats,” he said.

Even though much of his work is for private developers and property owners, Peterson said there is something special about being involved in the center’s rebirth.

“It’s always great to get involved in educational places,” Peterson said.

As he surveyed plans for the center’s interior, Austin expressed his appreciation for both Horner’s and Peterson’s work in the project.

“They’re the experts on this. I couldn’t have done it without them,” Austin said.

Horner helped secure a 5,000 gallon tank from the Seattle Aquarium for the center. It is now framed by timber donated by Bill Sivetts from Port Gamble.

“We will at least have it open for public viewing by Viking Fest, but I don’t know if we’ll have any critters in here by then,” Austin said.

As the state Legislature prepares for its 2007 budget deliberations, 23rd District State Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-Poulsbo) said she is still working hard to ensure additional funding for the center.

Once those talks begin, Appleton said she has hopes for another $250,000 in state moneys to assist the PSMC.

“It’s very important, and we’re getting a lot of that information sent to the committees,” she said of the work currently being done at the center.