The Animal Care Center (ACC) is located south of the existing Staff Building. The building will be on two levels and is targeted to be around 4,500sf. The lower level will be used for animal support functions such as holding, surgery, and food prep. Visitors will be able to enter the building with Wonder Gardens staff to watch and learn about some of the important work that is done on a daily basis. Visitors can also view from the outside porch into the surgery and food prep rooms and learn about animal diets and health care. The upper level will be used for staff offices, group work spaces, and an open flex room. The flex room can be used as a conference room, for summer camps and rented out for evening events.
With additional office space now available for staff at the ACC, the intent is to move horticulture, maintenance staff and volunteers to the existing Staff Building. The exterior space on the west and north sides of the building will be used for outreach animal holding, nursery and general storage.
The overall planning intent is to cluster support functions in the north west section of the 3.45 acre property and create more space for visitor amenities and attractions near some of the existing core attractions. This will improve the overall visitor experience by having less fragmented exhibit sequences and will also help staff to be able to do their work without interfering with the visitors.
