Assiniboine Park Zoo Expansion: Journey to Churchill Exhibit | Completed

[Kinguni]

Originally Posted by rrskylar

Really? The NEW charge for the zoo is about the same as a movie ticket at Silver City at Polo Park, movie lasts two hours but you can walk around the zoo all day. Not directed at you King but what planet are some of you guys on, $18. for zoo admission too much, wow!

The planet where on a low wage I was able to take my kids to the zoo when they were young. The planet where my wife's kids won't be able to take their kids there because it's simply an unaffordable luxury for low wage earners. At that even with 2 of us earning a decent wage, we'd be hard pressed to justify taking our grand kids to the zoo when there are much more affordable alternatives out there.

I guess on the bright side Transit won't need to run to the zoo on the weekends any more because the people that use it to get there won't be able to afford the admission.

[esquire]

I doubt that very many children will have zoo-free childhoods, but I'm sure that many will go less frequently as a result of this. It could become a rare, once-every-couple-years kind of thing for some, and that's unfortunate. Although that said, there will be a discount admission day IIRC.

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by Kinguni

The planet where on a low wage I was able to take my kids to the zoo when they were young. The planet where my wife's kids won't be able to take their kids there because it's simply an unaffordable luxury for low wage earners. At that even with 2 of us earning a decent wage, we'd be hard pressed to justify taking our grand kids to the zoo when there are much more affordable alternatives out there.

I guess on the bright side Transit won't need to run to the zoo on the weekends any more because the people that use it to get there won't be able to afford the admission.

Simple solution, if the zoo is too costly DON'T go, this idea where all things should be priced (subsidized) so that all can afford seems to be a by-product of decades of socialist governance in this province. Not that anyone on the low end of the social spectrum budgets anything buy setting aside a couple dollars a week for a few months easily adds up to the zoo admission. It's not that much.

[windypeg]

Originally Posted by rrskylar

Simple solution, if the zoo is too costly DON'T go, this idea where all things should be priced (subsidized) so that all can afford seems to be a by-product of decades of socialist governance in this province. Not that anyone on the low end of the social spectrum budgets anything buy setting aside a couple dollars a week for a few months easily adds up to the zoo admission. It's not that much.

I get a real chuckle when I hear this sort of sentiment regarding Jets ticket prices... "oh I'll never be able to take my kids because those greedy suits charge way too much"... TNSE isn't running a charity. They charge what the market is willing to pay, so as long as the arena is full they could probably care less if you can afford to take your kids to a game.

That having been said I recognize the zoo should be a fairly accessible institution. But it still is, even after the admission hike. $18.50 for an adult admission is only a few bucks more than a movie ticket, and as someone else mentioned you can make a full day of it rather than the 90 minutes of entertainment you'd get at the movies. If you're on a budget you might not be able to take your kids every weekend (although if you did you could get a family pass and the cost per trip suddenly becomes very affordable) but most people should still be able to budget for the occasional visit. My folks took me once a year and that was fine. If you can't scrounge together $18.50 for an annual trip to the zoo, then frankly you probably have much bigger problems than "my kids won't get to see the zebras".

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by windypeg

I get a real chuckle when I hear this sort of sentiment regarding Jets ticket prices... "oh I'll never be able to take my kids because those greedy suits charge way too much"... TNSE isn't running a charity. They charge what the market is willing to pay, so as long as the arena is full they could probably care less if you can afford to take your kids to a game.

That having been said I recognize the zoo should be a fairly accessible institution. But it still is, even after the admission hike. $18.50 for an adult admission is only a few bucks more than a movie ticket, and as someone else mentioned you can make a full day of it rather than the 90 minutes of entertainment you'd get at the movies. If you're on a budget you might not be able to take your kids every weekend (although if you did you could get a family pass and the cost per trip suddenly becomes very affordable) but most people should still be able to budget for the occasional visit. My folks took me once a year and that was fine. If you can't scrounge together $18.50 for an annual trip to the zoo, then frankly you probably have much bigger problems than "my kids won't get to see the zebras".

Another poster with some common sense, something usually not exhibited much in these threads!

[h0twired]

I would rather have a good zoo that is self sustainable with a market driven admission price than a sad decrepit zoo that is mismanaged by the city and has a cheap admission price.

[Cyro]

Beluga skeleton coming to zoo
By: Adam Wazny

A beluga whale is migrating to the Assiniboine Park Zoo, but you'll have to use your imagination to see it.

The zoo has commissioned a nearly four-metre-long model of a beluga whale skeleton to be part of the soon-to-open Journey to Churchill exhibit. The beluga skeleton was cast by a company in Alberta and is scheduled to be up before the end of the May long weekend.

The Journey to Churchill northern species exhibit, a part of the Assiniboine Park Zoo's $200-million redevelopment, is scheduled to open July 3.

Source

Appropriate and interesting addition to the exhibit and Northern/Artic experience.

[Cyro]

Snowy owl habitat gets $500K

The redeveloped owl habitat is the last piece of the puzzle of the new 10-acre Journey to Churchill exhibit, set to open July 3.

"This project will not only bring the beauty and wonder of the most majestic animal species indigenous to the northern climates to the people of Winnipeg, but also educate our community on the very important global issues of climate change and conservation," said Bob Silver, CEO of Western Glove Works, parent company to Silver Jeans Co.

The habitat contains natural elements for a realistic and stimulating environment.

The Zoo's six snowy owls will move in during June, but there's space for 10-12, as well as future hatchlings. The Zoo is participating in a Species Survival Plan for the owls.

"The snowy owls are the first animals people will see when they enter Journey to Churchill and this beautiful habitat will set the tone for an amazing visitor experience," said Margaret Redmond, president and CEO of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. "We are so grateful to Silver Jeans Co. for their generous support and helping us bring the vision for Journey to Churchill to life."



Article/Image Source

I'm a wildlife lover, urban, domestic and "wild in every sense of the word". Spent many, many years working with all types of animals. Announcements and additions such as this always interest me and hopefully others.

[Cyro]

Assiniboine zoo closing for 10 days to prepare for polar bear exhibit




The zoo also announced its programming schedule for the grand opening and the opening weekend:

Thursday, July 3 -- Opening Day

Open from noon to 5 p.m.

Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6 -- Opening Weekend

Main Stage Area

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- Facepainting

10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. -- Fawn Wood

11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. -- Fred Penner

1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. -- The Northlands Denesuline Drummers

2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. -- Aaron Burnett

3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. -- Al Simmons

Story Telling Centre

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- Aboriginal story-telling: northern animals

Source


Can't wait, even though Summer is here.

[BrickJunkie]

Please excuse my ignorance, but is the rest of the zoo getting an overhaul / renovation as well, or will the final zoo just be a new Churchill attraction alongside our rather dated existing zoo? I went to their website but it really only focussed on the new Churchill development and didn't mention much else for the rest of the zoo. I know the entrance is being upgraded, but is that it?

Again, sorry if this has been addressed before, but I did a bit of digging and can't seem to find a solid answer. Thanks!

[cllew]

Originally Posted by BrickJunkie

Please excuse my ignorance, but is the rest of the zoo getting an overhaul / renovation as well, or will the final zoo just be a new Churchill attraction alongside our rather dated existing zoo? I went to their website but it really only focussed on the new Churchill development and didn't mention much else for the rest of the zoo. I know the entrance is being upgraded, but is that it?

Again, sorry if this has been addressed before, but I did a bit of digging and can't seem to find a solid answer. Thanks!

As far as I have heard and seen on the zoo website there is a 10 year plan for redevelopment of the zoo and park. I think the Churchill development was to be the keystone of the zoo thought.

[Cyro]

The Journey To Churchill exhibit, a 10-acre exhibition in the Assiniboine Park Zoo, will now have a helicopter.

The Bell 206B helicopter was donated by Brian Hawes, and craned in to the exhibit due to limited access on site, according to a release by the Assiniboine Park Conservancy.

It’s part of an effort to have the exhibit resemble the town of Churchill, which relies on helicopters to transport people to remote camps, and relocate the polar bears the region is known for. The aircraft joins a CN boxcar, tracks and replicas of Churchill’s weather station, all of which are already in place at the exhibit.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/loc...264601111.html
______________

Kinda a cool add to the exhibit.

[Andy6]

Churchill should ask for $100m to build a "Journey to Winnipeg" so that their kids can experience squirrels and robins.

I am certainly looking forward to Winnipeg's version, though.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by Andy6

Churchill should ask for $100m to build a "Journey to Winnipeg" so that their kids can experience squirrels and robins.

I am certainly looking forward to Winnipeg's version, though.

No need,most residents of Churchill will likely visit Winnipeg and experience the Wildlife.

On the Flip side few Winnipeger's/or Travellers will visit Churchill to Explore it's Artic habitat.

I think they got this one right on location.

[Cyro]

Open to the public.Won't have a chance to see it for a while but hoping others will post their thoughts.

Source

[lilwayne]

it looks nice and all but where are all the animals.. i just went there and its immpossible to spot any polar bears or seals...

not to impressed.. to be honest need more polar bears and animals in general

[dennis]

Originally Posted by lilwayne

it looks nice and all but where are all the animals.. i just went there and its immpossible to spot any polar bears or seals...

not to impressed.. to be honest need more polar bears and animals in general

It's probably too hot for the arctic animals. They usually go indoors to their air conditioned quarters.

[Riverman]

Something I wondered about this - it has been advertised that there are bears and seals in this exhibit. Seals are bear food. Will the zoo keep replacing the seals as the bears eat them?

Will the public get to watch the bears eating the seals?

Now that would be worth 19 bucks!

[bomberjet]

Lol the bears and seals tank ate separated by only a piece if acrylic!

[Andy6]

Originally Posted by Riverman

Something I wondered about this - it has been advertised that there are bears and seals in this exhibit. Seals are bear food. Will the zoo keep replacing the seals as the bears eat them?

Will the public get to watch the bears eating the seals?

Now that would be worth 19 bucks!

No, each seal has been provided with a taser.