Journey to Churchill soars over budget by $4.5M

Construction of the Winnipeg zoo's major new attraction, Journey to Churchill, is $4.5million over budget.

City councillors were presented on Thursday with a report outlining the budget.

CBC News has beentold the extra costs are due tomaterials being brought in from the U.S. and heating expensesduringtheextremely cold winter.

The city has committed $50 million over 10 yearsto theAssiniboine Park Conservancy for its $200-million renewal of the 110-year-old park and zoo.

• Big fee hikes at Winnipeg zoo when polar bear exhibit opens July 3

Coun. Brian Mayes saidmoney may be diverted from that fund to pay for the Journey to Churchill cost overruns.

The four-hectare exhibit,scheduled to open July 3,will feature polar bears, Arctic foxes, musk oxen, snowy owls and seals in expansive new habitats.

There will be underwater and above-ground viewing opportunities for the bears and seals, which will be separatedby thick, clearplastic walls.

Other elements in the exhibitinclude an aurora borealis 360-degree theatre,a new restaurant, gift shop and children's play area.

The zoo will be closed for 10 days starting June 23 to prepare for the opening of the exhibit. The zoo will re-open at noon on July 3.