Forces will be marshaling soon at the David Traylor Zoo as major renovations are set to begin.
On KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Monday, Director Lisa Keith said work on the kookaburra exhibit could begin within the next couple weeks.
Keith believes the kookaburra exhibit could be finished this year.
This is the lead wave of construction as part of the Friends of the Zoo’s $4.3 million Oasis capital campaign.
Construction on the signature North American river otter exhibit and the Hopkins Family Zoo Education Center are planned to start in 2020 and 2021, respectively. More renovations and expansions are coming to current exhibits, and the zoo will build a pavilion between the Zoo Education Center and walk-through portion of the zoo for a range of public events. A new nature play area is also planned.
The campaign had widespread support, with gifts from the WS and EC Jones Trust, Hopkins Foundation, William and Aloha Preston Trust, Jane and Bernard Reeble Foundation, Trusler Foundation and Capitol Federal Foundation combining with $1.7 million in gifts from over 130 individuals and businesses.
