'First of its kind': Jacksonville Zoo's new entrance will welcome guests with state-of-the-art video boards

Teresa Stepzinski, Florida Times-Union

November 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM·3 min read

Described as the “first of its kind" among zoos and aquariums, a reimagined entrance to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will welcome guests with state-of-the-art immersion screens and other amenities under a 25,000-square-foot open-air structure that soars as high as 50 feet.

Named the VyStar SkyScape, the structure will be the centerpiece of the new entrance, part of the zoo’s $52 million Rezoovenation improvement campaign launched a year ago to enhance animal welfare as well the visitor experience at the Northside attraction.

Details about the project were recently revealed with the announcement of a $2.25 million investment from Jacksonville-based VyStar Credit Union.

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A rendering of the planned immersion screens planned for the new entrance of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.

With large video boards featuring educational messages, event visuals and more, the new space will include admissions, guest relations, retail, food and beverage space. Other new features include a stage, VIP lounge, meeting space and a full-service catering kitchen, the zoo announced.

"As the name suggests, the VyStar SkyScape will inspire residents and visitors of all ages to think big and to dream big," Brian Wolfburg, VyStar president and CEO said in a news release. "We look forward to the many great memories that will be made at the VyStar SkyScape.”

The zoo's main entrance is being relocated to the area now occupied by the education campus.

Jeff Ettling, zoo president and CEO said in the release that the VyStar SkyScape will "welcome in a unique way and will be first of its kind in zoos and aquariums."

An aerial view rendering showing the proposed future look of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, which is undergoing a series of renovations and upgrades.

In October 2021, the nonprofit zoo launched a fundraising campaign to pay for the improvements outlined in the Rezoovenation multi-year master plan for the 108-year-old facility, which is home to more than 2,000 animals including many rare, endangered and threatened species.

The plan includes five projects to be completed in phases:

Renovating the parking lot
Expanding the Manatee Critical Care Center and new zoo entrance
Constructing a new education campus with expanded lion habitat
Redesigning the elephant habitat
Introduction of orangutans to the zoo

The estimated total cost for all of those projects is about $120 million, according to the news release.

Fundraising efforts

So far, the zoo has raised 75% of the $52 million goal from private sources and a $5 million match per year by the City of Jacksonville, according to the news release.

J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, former owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars, are the honorary chairs of the Rezoovenation campaign. The Weavers have pledged $3 million for Manatee River — the "first impression habitat" guests will encounter after entering the VyStar SkyScape.

The new Manatee River exhibit planned for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens includes an expansion to the zoo's Manatee Critical Care Center.

Manatee habitat, care center expanding

Manatees, a vulnerable species deemed one of Florida's most popular animals, will be the focus of the exhibit. It will replicate the "mixed species habitat" found in the state's natural waterways. Native fish, reptiles and birds also will be in the exhibit.

An expansion of the zoo's Manatee Critical Care Center (MCCC), the Manatee River habitat will connect to four more treatment pools, providing a total of 330,000 gallons of rehabilitation space for injured or ill manatees.

The expansion will allow the zoo to treat at least 15 more manatees at a time from its current capacity of six.

The design work for the VyStar SkyScape and Manatee River was completed by Dasher Hurst Architects and Prosser Inc. both of Jacksonville.

Times-Union writer Tom Szaroleta contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: VyStar SkyScape will welcome guests to new Jacksonville Zoo entrance

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Fundraising efforts

Manatee habitat, care center expanding

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