Erie Zoo otters get larger, updated space. How much did it cost?

The Erie Zoo has tripled the amount of space for their otters after unveiling a newly updated exhibit.

On Tuesday, the zoo at 423 W. 38th St. , held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the newly updated space for North American river otters Mimi and Max.

“We’re really excited for the grand opening of the otter exhibit,” said Roo Kojancie, president and CEO of Erie Zoo . "The exhibit is three times the size of our previous exhibit and offers the latest in otter amenities.”

Those amenities include new native plants, a large swimming pool, an elongated stream and rock formations that were inspired by the Wintergreen Gorge.

The updated enclosure includes new glass panels for visitors to have a better view of the playful otters.

"Here at the zoo our mission is conservation and education," Kojancie said. "We have really delivered on that mission with this project by creating a modern space where our otters can thrive and where guests can learn about the amazing otters."

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Erie Zoo's new exhibit took two years, more than a million dollars to complete

Jeff Beach, chairman of the zoo's board of directors, told the Times-News that the otter project took more than a year to complete. The actual planning for the exhibit began more than two years ago

The exhibit was initially estimated at a million dollars, but the finished project cost $1.2 million after going through COVID times with a 20% cost increase.

"This is going to be a tremendous draw," Beach said. "We've already had a great summer of attendance and membership and I think this is going to continue it and drive membership in the coming years." "

Construction began in November 2023 and wrapped up this spring. After spring, the zoo's maintenance and facility team finished the project by making the space comfortable for the otters to have a new space to call home.

"These otters, I can tell you, that they 'otterly' love it," Kojancie said. "When they first came out they were romping, they were playing, they explored every inch of this, and that night they were exhausted. They had a great time and they wore themselves out."

Kojancie contined, "When I was a keeper I took care of these guys and they are so fun, energetic and playful and interactive. They love to work with their keepers, so they are just a great species of animals to have here."

Kojancie confirmed that the larger space means that they are looking to the future with the possibility of adding more otters.

"We've designed this space to house a family of otters," Kojancie said. "That would be the mother and the father and then the little ones years ago we had as many as five babies born at one time. There's potential to have a lot of activity in the exhibit."

Funding and assistance from Harrisburg

The zoo was not hesitant to reach out to legislators for assistance with the project. Both state Rep. Bob Merski, of Erie, D-2nd Dist., and State Sen. Dan Laughlin of Millcreek Township, R-49th Dist., offered assistance to what they both considered a regional impact to the Erie area.

"It's important because the Erie Zoo is a regional asset," Merski said. "It's important for us understanding the economic impact of the zoo and how it draws in tourists and it makes Erie an attractive place for families. Our investment that the state makes to make places attractive for business, attractive for families, ultimately it's about jobs and this keeps the zoo growing, keeps people working here in our community and we're proud to support that. I put this exhibit against any of those zoos across the region and it's really a first-class facility."

"When we get asked to throw our support behind a community asset like the Erie Zoo, that's a pretty easy ask; it's right in our wheelhouse," Laughlin said. "Of all of our community assets, I think the zoo is the one that brings the community together. As a parent we had our children here when they were little and quite frankly I grew up coming to this zoo as well. "

Erie Zoo's other upgrades planned

Next on the zoo's to-do list involves a new veterinary care center.

Kojancie said that the center will include surgery suites, a recovery area, quarantine space and an imagery suite. This facility is still in the planning process.

The zoo has already undergone some major improvements this year while constructing a new boardwalk near the primate habitat.

The zoo also is still constructing a new viewing area near the painted dog habitat, are in the midst of reconstructing the red panda habitat, and they completed updates to the front entrance gate.

Another item the zoo is working on is converting one of the gas-powered locomotives into electric.

How can I visit the Erie Zoo?

The new otter exhibit opened to the public at noon on Tuesday.

Zoo hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last admission at 4:15 p.m. through Nov. 30. The zoo's hours vary in October.

Tickets: Purchase your tickets online or in person at the zoo.

Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie Zoo otters get larger, updated space. How much did it cost?