Pittsburgh Zoo opens expanded complex
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium recently opened its expanded education complex during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Made possible by a donation from the Scaife Charitable Foundation and a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Education, the renovation of the complex will allow the zoo to expand its conservation education efforts.
Currently, the zoo serves more than 330,000 kids and adults through its various conservation education programs, a number that has rapidly grown from the 450 people served in 1990.
“Over the past 12 years, we have seen a tremendous growth in the demand for conservation-based education programs. The education complex is the physical heart of our program, and we are very excited about the future opportunities that this expansion will bring,” said Dr. Barbara Baker, the zoo’s president and chief executive officer.
The $1.4 million project literally raised the roof on the existing education complex. A second story was added, making room for four additional classrooms, a teacher resource room, a program scheduling office and an animal holding area for the Education Department’s animal ambassadors.
Staying true to its conservation mission, the complex was built mixing existing and new construction and taking measures to make the building more energy efficient, creating a “green building.”
The zoo re-used materials from the original building wherever possible. Some items re-used include the actual roof, windows, light fixtures and wood for framing, shelving and baseboards. In addition, recycled materials were used such as refurbished office furniture, drywall with recycle content and tile floors with 25 percent recycled vinyl in the new classrooms and the teacher resource room. The building was made more energy efficient through factors such as gas-fired heating and cooling, exposed ductwork to eliminate heat loss, skylights and a variable air volume heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
“One of the greatest things about this building is that it is an educational tool itself. It complements our education department’s philosophy of hands-on demonstrations and teaching by example,” Baker said.
Conveniently accessible from all sides of the city, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is open every day but Dec. 25.
For directions, hours, ticket and group sales information, call (412) 665-3640. Members visit the Zoo & Aquarium for free. Call 412-365-2534 for membership information. Visit the zoo’s Web site at www.pittsburghzoo.com.