The Joe Brain Petting Zoo will not open this summer, with the City switching the site over temporarily to serve as a fenced-in dog park for the next few months.
The zoo will not open for the summer 2022 season, with City of Flin Flon officials citing possible construction and pre-construction work on a replacement to the Flin Flon Aqua Centre as the main reason for the change. The proposed site for the project has been, for the past several months, the former Willowvale Curling Club site, located about 100 metres away from the zoo.
"With the potential of ground work being done, the City feels this would create a hostile environment for animals, as there is the likelihood of having to relocate animals if any major work commenced," reads a statement from City recreation director Andrew Smith.
"[Therefore, it has been] decided it wasn't prudent for the 2022 season to accept animals that were normally donated."
The dog park officially opened to the public May 20.
During typical summer seasons, the zoo plays host to several animals, including chickens, pigs, ducks, bunnies, rodents, goats and horses, as well as others depending on the season including cows, quail and ponies. The animals are donated to the City to live at the zoo before being moved away at the end of the season.
Zoo staff issued a statement on the location's Facebook page, saying the group was upset with the City's decision.
"All of us who have worked so hard each year to bring you this great attraction are completely heartbroken over the news shared today by the City of Flin Flon of the Zoo’s closure this summer season," reads the statement.
"We are all disappointed we won’t be able to share all of our amazing critters with you this year."
City officials say the closure of the zoo will be temporary and the decision to reopen the site as a dog park was made quickly.
Councillor Karen MacKinnon said the City wanted to still make use of the site, despite not bringing zoo animals in for summer.
“We're not shutting the zoo down,” said MacKinnon.
“We couldn't get animals because we didn't know what was happening with the site this summer. We still wanted to have something with the site this summer and have something at the facility there.”
In the past, city councillors have said at public meetings that plans for an Aqua Centre replacement at Willowvale would include the zoo staying open at its current site after a pool is built.
"I would just like to reiterate that this is a temporary thing for the summer of 2022. The future is unknown in regards to the location, but we wanted to ensure we were utilizing assets to the best of our ability," said Smith to The Reminder.
The decision to close the zoo for the season and to open a dog park was not discussed at any recent city council meetings, nor were any public meetings about the changes held. MacKinnon said the plan came together quickly and said that if closing or changing the zoo became part of the City's long-term plan, the public would be notified before any such change.
“We didn’t put out notice because it’s happened real quick. If it was to be a permanent thing, we would put out a notice first,” she said.
“It just happened so quickly, to have the park utilized for the summer. It’s a positive all around for the community and I’m proud of how quickly it came together.”
The City will also pursue a permanent location for a dog park in the future - sources say that part of Centoba Park is the leading contender such a park in the future, but no formal decision has yet been made.
