The Emporia Friends of the Zoo’s Oasis capital campaign is nearing the finish line, thanks to a major challenge grant announced Tuesday.
The Capitol Federal Foundation has committed $300,000 to the campaign — once the campaign moves from its current $3.6 million in gifts and pledges to $4 million. The challenge grant would close down the capital campaign and would renovate one of several existing exhibits, according to Zoo Director Lisa Keith.
Drive co-chair Duane Henrikson says this is a huge step towards finishing the capital campaign and starting construction.
Drive co-chair Rick Mitchell thanked all the donors for bringing the drive to this point.
Roughly $200,000 has been raised since the Friends of the Zoo announced the Oasis campaign two months ago. The campaign will fund a new zoo entrance, renovated streets, expanded parking and dedicated bus areas. Besides the waterfowl area, the funding will renovate the vulture, emu, llama and rhea and cereopsis geese exhibits and will create new exhibits for wallabies, kookaburras and otters. The Zoo Education Center will also be expanded and renovated.
Capitol Federal will have naming rights to the renovated waterfowl exhibit space.
For more information, call the zoo at 341-4365 or go online to www.emporiazoo.org. Mail donations to Box 345 in Emporia, ZIP 66801.
