Zoo hopes to attract new events with ZooPlex

/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/BR_web_311x311.jpeg

The Blank Park Zoo plans to enhance Greater Des Moines’ meeting facility options and generate additional revenue for itself by building a new structure called the ZooPlex.

Terry Rich, the zoo’s CEO, says construction has already begun on the 10,000-square-foot facility, which will accommodate up to 1,000 people and can be expanded in nice weather to hold another 500. The half-million-dollar project is being built on part of the zoo’s 30 acres of adjacent land to the north, funded partly from a Vision Iowa CAT grant. The facility will not only add more options to events that the zoo can offer, but also serve businesses and individuals in the Des Moines area, he said.

“The ZooPlex will open us up to be able to do a lot more than we were able to do in the past,” Rich said. “In the fall and the spring, the building can open up on the south end and expand our capabilities to do events such as Night Eyes and Zoo Brews in more of a three-season environment.”

The first phase of the ZooPlex is expected to be complete in early October, in time for the Oct. 9 Night Eyes event. Construction will continue through the fall, and when complete, the building will have a “cabana-like look,” with a heavy-duty synthetic white fabric cover, similar to that used at the Denver International Airport. There’s even the possibility that black zebra-like strips might adorn the outside, Rich said. However, on the inside, the furnishings will remain neutral and versatile.

When the zoo is not using the ZooPlex for programs, animal shows and other events, the facility has potential to be used for many other purposes. Rich said the zoo’s Discovery Center, which can hold about 175 people, has been heavily used for events such as corporate gatherings, weddings and private parties. But many people, especially organizers of large weddings, have been unable to work with the zoo because it lacked a facility big enough to accommodate their needs.

“We can do full catering, and once the zoo closes at 5 p.m., it’s pretty much a private, park-like environment that can play host to many different events,” Rich said. “This adds one more venue for the Convention and Visitors Bureau as they try to pitch the city to potential events such as the Junior Olympic Games. Central Iowa’s quality of life increases with all of these new locations to host events, and we can draw new people into the zoo and allow us to provide new entertainment and more value to people who come to the zoo.”

Vicki Comegys, the director of sales and services for the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, agreed that the addition of the ZooPlex gives the city another marketable venue.

“Any time that you can show a variety of options, it enhances our chances of working with not only national business, but regional and state business,” she said.

Timeline of Terry Rich with the zoo

Since Terry Rich joined the Blank Park Zoo’s board nine months ago, many innovative ideas have been implemented. Here are a few:

December – Merged the zoo’s foundation office and the city’s zoo personnel office, a savings of nearly $40,000 per year.

January – Purchased MTV broadcast cameras and editing equipment with grant money from Greater DSM Community Foundation, enabling the zoo to do weekly half-hour shows on Channel 7.

February – Finalized a CAT Grant to build a new indoor facility (now known as the ZooPlex) to enhance the revenue of the zoo.

April – Did a “Virtual Parade” of all the zoo animals from Sec Taylor Stadium to the zoo.

May – Bought and dedicated the new “American Express” train engine, which has helped generate nearly $100,000 in revenue for the zoo in 2004.

Held the “Zoo Revue” fund-raiser at Hoyt Sherman Place.

June – Introduced the new albino alligator “Pinky.”

Held the first-ever IPTV Kids’ Day to promote the zoo statewide.

July – Opened a new upscale restaurant, “Zoo Beastro.”

Hosted the first “adults only” ZooBrew.

Held the first-ever Ice Sculpture Days with ice in the animal exhibits.

Did the first “Iowa’s Wildest Garden Tour” to showcase the zoo’s horticultural exhibits.