RACINE (July 30) – After construction delays due to record-breaking winter snowfalls and torrential spring rains, the Racine Zoo's Gateway to Adventure officially opens to the public at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 31, at the corner of Main and Goold streets.

Vine-cutting ceremonies for completion of the project took place Wednesday at 6 p.m., followed by a members-only event, according to Jay Christie, Racine Zoo president and chief executive officer.

The $2.1 million construction project, begun last November, was financed with funds from the public and private sectors and adds about 3,000 square feet of indoor space to the zoo's campus. The City of Racine provided $300,000, Racine County gave $250,000 and the remaining $1.55 million came from private donations, Christie said.

The project includes Walkabout Creek, an Australian-themed immersive exhibit; the Benstead Discovery Center; the Zootique gift shop; and Max and Jenny's Jungle Grill.

All are part of Phase III of the Zoo's strategic plan, said David Easley, chair of the Racine Zoological Society Board of Directors. The City of Racine owns the Racine Zoo land and the animal collection; the Society operates the zoo.

Phase I, the Charles and Jennifer Johnson Land of the Giants, home to the giraffes and black rhinos, opened on the north end of the zoo in 2002. Phase II, Heart of the Zoo, including Bear Ridge, Meerkat Manor and Mount Mouflon, was opened in 2005.

About Walkabout Creek

Walkabout Creek is the new Australian-themed immersive exhibit that allows zoo guests to walk among the creatures native to Australia. These include kangaroos, wallaroos, black swans and emus. Walkabout Creek covers about two and one-half acres and ultimately will be home to six or seven species native to Australia, Christie said. While all are accustomed to the changing seasons, a state-of-the-art all-weather shelter house on the west side of the site allows Walkabout Creek inhabitants to enjoy indoor accommodations when they wish, he added.

About the Benstead Discovery Center

The Benstead Discovery Center moves from its prior location in the Vanishing Kingdom building into the east building at the new entrance. The anchor of the center is a 1,500-gallon saltwater fish tank, "much larger than anything we've ever done before," said Christie, "and representative of tropical saltwater ecosystems that have spectacularly colored fish and invertebrates." Exhibits in the center will change periodically, Christie said.

About Max and Jenny's Jungle Grill

The former Racine Zoo gift shop is now Max and Jenny's Jungle Grill. It's named after the zoo's most famous residents, orangutans Max and Jenny, and will serve hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, soda, water and snacks.

About the Zootique Gift Shop

The Zootique Gift Shop is found in the west building at the new entrance. In addition to housing an expanded gift shop, this building also is home to an umbrella cockatoo, named Miranda,, who is a particular zoo-guest favorite.

The new entrance will also offer restrooms, new ticket windows, stroller and wheelchair rentals, an ATM machine and other amenities, Christie said.

The Racine Zoo, which is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 3 to 15, free for children under 3 and $3 for seniors. Admission is free for members.

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