Repairs underway to keep Potawatomi Zoo open

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

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Potawatomi Zoo

A family enjoys the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend. The zoo is making repairs before its reaccreditation process begins next year. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Jun 19, 2008 at 7:15 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 24, 2008 at 9:38 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — The future looks brighter for the Potawatomi Zoo. It failed its last accreditation inspection from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and needed more than a million dollars for repairs.

Without it, the zoo wouldn't be able to make repairs to meet accreditation in 2009 and its animals would be transferred to other zoos.

City officials say they couldn't refuse to help because people donated their own money and told them how much they wanted the zoo.

"You can see. I brought all my quarters," said Susan Stevenson as her kids enjoyed the extras at the zoo Thursday.

Those quarters pay for a look through the binoculars and fish food.

"It's one of things we put our money into," said Stevenson.

Money spent at the gate, train and concessions goes directly to the zoo, but it wasn't enough to make needed repairs.

The prospect of losing the zoo was not an option for visitors.

"I was pretty upset because the closest one would be Ft. Wayne," said Amanda Bell who likes taking her daughter to the zoo.

People spoke up, and South Bend decided to give the zoo the $1.4 million needed to meet safety, ventilation, lighting and maintenance requirements in older buildings.

"We are very grateful we didn't have to up admission, and we could keep everything the same," said Marcy Dean, director of the Zoological Society.

Work has started on some roofs and the flamingo building.

For the zoo to stay open, dozens of changes must be made by next summer.

"By the time we come up for accreditation in 2009, we are going to be good to go," said Dean.

Dean says they've had record attendance this summer, but she still wants to keep the zoo on everyone's mind, so some advertising is being done on a Transpo bus that's covered in animals.

"Imagine driving down the street, and a little kid looking out and there is a tiger riding in a bus. It's going to garner so much attention," said Dean.

Parent's say the zoo definitely has theirs.

"We have a place to go and it's not that expensive," said Bell.

"I think that's what every parent should be doing: providing for their kids future," said Stevenson.

The zoo will be inspected next summer and expects to get the accreditation it needs to remain open.

Surprisingly, the slow economy and high gas prices are helping the zoo. The Zoological Society says more people are staying closer to home and they've seen as many as 2,000 visitors on some days.

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