INSIDE: ZOO NEWS SASKATOON 2019 ZOOGALA! 20TH ANNUAL BHP ENCHANTED FOREST ZOO FOUNDATION THANK YOU, DONORS! SPRING 2019 Zoo’s New Orano Fun Zone Playground The Zoo’s new Orano Fun Zone opened to great fanfare last August. Located next to the orchard in the Zoo, the new playground features a variety of accessible components, including a nature-themed PlayBoosterR Treehouse, OodlerR Swing and Talk Tubes. “The new playground is an excellent addition. We couldn’t be more grateful for the work of the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation “Working closely with our partners and the generous contribution from to build an accessible playground Orano Canada,” says Tim Sinclair-Smith, inside the Zoo is a true testament of Zoo Manager. community spirit.” “We were thrilled to have Orano Canada onboard for this amazing project, along with the City of Saskatoon, Playgrounds- R-Us, ASL Paving, Country Side Paving and the Sarich Family/ Silverado Demolition Operation Inc.,” says Dawn Woroniuk, Executive Director of the Zoo Foundation.” (more photos on page 2) ZOO NEWS Our spring round-up of the latest news, upcoming events and exciting developments happening at Saskatoon’s one and only Forestry Farm Park & Zoo. Orano Fun Zone brings 1 accessible play into the Zoo. The new Orano Fun Zone accessible playground replaces a 40-year-old wooden structure by the petting zoo. Remember the one you had to access through the tunnel? Well, the new location in the orchard area is much easier to access, and the playground is completely wheelchair accessible, so all children can play. “Working closely with Orano Canada and our other playtime partners to build an accessible playground inside the Zoo is a true testament of community spirit,” Dawn says. “Every- one involved is absolutely thrilled to see the addition of the playground.” “Orano Canada is “We are proud to invest in our particularly pleased to community and to support a facility have been able to such as the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo,” said Tammy Van contribute to the Lambalgen, Vice President Corporate construction of this new, Affairs & General Counsel of Orano accessible playground as Canada Inc. at the playground’s grand it allows all children to opening in August. have the opportunity to Orano Canada is a uranium mining, play together.” milling and exploration company that’s - Tammy Van Lambalgen been headquartered in Saskatoon for Orano Canada over 50 years. “The Orano Fun Zone provides a space within the Zoo for young children to learn and develop many skills while they play, “Van Lambalgen said. “It is an area that will be a fun stop for many families visiting the Zoo, including our own employees and their children.” SASKATOON ZOO FOUNDATION SPRING 2019 - 2 Record-breaking 80,520 visitors at BHP Enchanted 2 Forest The 20th annual BHP Enchanted Forest will go in the books as a record-breaking event— 80,520 visitors took in the seven-week show at Saskatoon’s Forestry Farm Park. This smashes the previous record of 77,000 set in Charlie Brown’s Christmas display sponsored by Orano Canada was a 2017-18. popular addition to this year’s BHP Enchanted Forest. The Saskatchewan Blue Cross Light Walk contributed to the huge numbers by attracting close to 9,000 visitors over two nights. Organizers attribute the success of the event to good weather, attractive displays and special promotions, contests and giveaways, plus the growing tradition of visiting the Enchanted Forest with friends and family over the holidays. Net proceeds from the event are shared by the Zoo Foundation and Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation. Planning is already underway for the 21st Holiday Light Tour next year. On behalf of the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation, Gathering to officially flip the switch to light up the 20th anniversary THANK YOU to all our sponsors and visitors BHP Enchanted Forest. L to R: Todd Brandt (Tourism Saskatoon), for your awesome contributions! David Engdahl and Dawn Woroniuk (Saskatoon Zoo Foundation), Giles Hellyer (BHP), Steve Shannon and Randy Singler (Saskatoon City A Few Forest Facts Hospital Foundation) • Year 1 (1998-99): 24 light displays 300 images • Year 20 (2018-19): 66 light displays 960 images • 1 million-plus lights • Over 11 kms of LED rope light Over the last 20 years, the holiday light show has attracted 1.4 million visitors and raised over $2.7 million for Saskatoon Zoo Foundation and Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation. SASKATOON ZOO FOUNDATION SPRING 2019 - 3 Meet Jill Shumay, our 4 new team member The Saskatoon Zoo Foundation is delighted to introduce Jill Shumay, our new Administrative Assistant. If you’re a curler, you’re already familiar with the name—Jill skipped Team Saskatchewan at the 2013 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Kingston, Ontario. Jill grew up on a grain and cattle farm outside of Maidstone. She stayed busy playing sports and helping out around the farm. Her love of sports continued after high school, particularly curling. “I’m very lucky to be mom to two Save the Date for ZOOGALA 2019! boys, Kaden, 11 and Cole, 9. My Friday, June 14th, 2019 husband Darrin and I spend most 3 of our time driving them to hockey The one-of-a-kind ZOOGALA continues to be one of the Foundation’s most in the winter and baseball in the popular summer event—last year’s gala sold out in record time and raised summer, and I wouldn’t want it approximately $60,000 to help the Zoo Foundation build for the future. any other way,” Jill says. It’s not just a fabulous evening of exquisite food by the Saskatoon’s best chefs, “I’m happy to be working with it’s live entertainment, silent auction, door prizes, raffles and, the true stars of Dawn and our fabulous Board of the show, our resident animals. Directors at the Saskatoon Zoo ZOOGALA tickets sell out quickly, so get yours early. Foundation. I can’t wait to see Call 306-975-2241. everyone at ZOOGALA in June!” Sponsorship opportunities available now. 5 Fundraising Focus: New, larger home for Koda & Mistaya As you read this, the Zoo’s grizzly bears, Koda and Mistaya, are starting to slowly wake up from their hibernation. But while the bears have slept, the City of Saskatoon has been busy developing a new Master Plan for the entire Forestry Farm Park & Zoo site—and it’s going to be beyond amazing. One of the most exciting features is a new, larger bear habitat. The Zoo Foundation is making the new habitat a major fundraising focus in the coming years. We need your support! Make secure online donations at saskatoonzoofoundation.ca Call to discuss sponsorship opportunities & recognition levels. 306-975-2241. 6 We’re LIVE! New ZOO Foundation website offers secure online donations The Zoo Foundation’s new website is live! Many thanks to the fabulous team at YasTech for helping us complete the project. We’re especially thrilled to have the new secure online donation feature up and running. Check us out –saskatoonzoofoundation.ca. SASKATOON ZOO FOUNDATION SPRING 2019 - 4 THANK YOU BHP Enchanted Forest Sponsors MAJOR SPONSORS Northern Strands Group of Companies BHP O’Reilly Insurance Ltd. Executive Director’s CO-OP Pattison Electronic Billboards Message Dr. Mike Wagner Pelican Signs Family Focus Eyewear PepsiCo It’s been a busy year here at the Loraas Disposal Rings n Things/Dutka Investments Ltd Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo. ORANO Roxdar Supply Chain Solutions We celebrated another successful Prestige Flooring Saskatchewan Rattlers ZOOGALA in June (the event sold out Preston Park Retirement Residences Saskatoon Airport Authority YXE in record time!) and we’re busy Saskatchewan Blue Cross Saskatoon Bowl Arena planning our 2019 event. Saskatchewan Mutual Insurance Saskatoon Business College Saskatchewan Rush Saskatoon Fast Print The official opening of the Orano Fun Saskatoon Blades Saskatoon Land/Aspen Ridge Zone accessible playground took SaskTel SEPW Architecture place in August, thanks to the support Shoppers Drug Mart Siemens Transportation of our wonderful partners—read all Tourism Saskatoon SIGA about it on page 2. University of Saskatchewan Smiley’s Buffet DISPLAY SPONSORS TCU Financial Group We also welcomed a new face—Jill The Centre Mall Armed with Harmony Shumay joined the Foundation as our United Rentals BN Steel & Metals Willowgreen Dental new administrative assistant (see Canadian Light Source page 4). Cherished Memories MEDIA SPONSORS We’ve got another busy year ahead, Christopher Moore Financial Services 96.3 CRUZ FM CK750 Melfort including fundraising for a new Classic Canadian Tours CTV grizzly bear home. Check us out on Davis Machine Company (1960) Ltd Delta Bessborough Global TV our amazing new website and on Direct West Pippin Facebook. Dr. Perry Kurz Orthodontist Rawlco Saskatoon Express International Road Dynamics LaRoche McDonald Agencies Saskatoon Media Group Dawn Woroniuk Living Skies Limousine Star Phoenix Luther Riverside Terrace Saskatoon Zoo Foundation Board of Directors David Engdahl, President Rob Johnston, Director Ivan Bergerman, Past-President Cathy Sarich, Director Christopher Moore, Treasurer Tina Searcy, Director Andy Davidson, Director Keith Weisgerber, Director Angie Cullingworth, Director 1903 Forestry Farm Park Dr. Dawn Woroniuk, Executive Director [email protected] Saskatoon, SK S7S 1G9 306-975-2241 Jill Shumay, Administrative Assistant [email protected] saskatoonzoofoundation.ca City of Saskatoon: Follow us on Facebook Tim Sinclair-Smith, Zoo Manager [email protected] SASKATOON ZOO FOUNDATION SPRING 2019 - 5 .