It was a big day at the Erie Zoo, as a whole host of community leaders gathered to celebrate the new partnership agreement between Erie Events and the Erie Zoo.
Erie Zoological Society President and CEO Melissa “Roo” Kojancie and Erie Events Executive Director Gus Pine signed the agreement at a ceremony in the Erie Zoo Adventure Center.
What was an idea from zoo board president Jeff Beach, and Erie Events board member attorney Tim Riley, is now official. But it took a lot of work and support from Erie City Council members and other community leaders to get it across the finish line.
Pine said he knows of no similar authority across the nation that is in partnership to operate a zoo. Forging the legal agreement, and overcoming hurdles was a two-year-long process.
The deal secures a steady stream of a half‑million dollars in funding annually from Erie Events to not just sustain the Erie Zoo, but to expand and modernize it for the future. The next big step in the partnership will be to finalize plans for developing and building a veterinary care facility on the zoo’s campus. Already the zoo has secured half of the estimated 10-million-dollar cost through RACP grants.
Construction of the veterinary care facility will be an important step as the zoo works to regain its accreditation.
Look for much more information on the agreement tonight on Erie News Now.