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BUDGET REQUEST: SUMMARY
Saint Johns Cherry Brook Zoo Inc. is requesting an operating
grant in the amount of its projected2009 deficit, $175,000.00 with
a 5% increase in funding for each of the following four years,
2010-2013. ( See attached budget figures and detailed rationale
)
The 2009 request is only $28,750.00 more than the City grant of
$146,250 that the zooreceived seventeen years ago in 1992. A
majority of Zoos in Canada and the United Statesthat receive
municipal funding are currently seeking additional funding to
offset inflationarygrowth of costs, both operational and
capital.
Cherry Brook Zoo has the lowest operating budget of any
Accredited Zoo in Canada even withthe budget request. ( See
attached comparison chart ). The Zoo raises two thirds of its
operatingbudget and is asking for one third from the City.
The majority of accredited Zoos in both Canada and the United
States that are not privateinstitutions receive municipal and/or
provincial/state funding.
The Cherry Brook Zoo was the first accredited Zoo in Atlantic
Canada. For direct comparisonpurposes, the only other currently in
the region is the Moncton Zoo which has an operationalbudget, fully
funded by the City of Moncton, in the amount of $1.5 million
dollars plus anannual capital amount of $100,000. Cherry Brook Zoo
is and wishes to remain, anincorporated not-for-profit as opposed
to a municipal operation thereby contributing to itsuniqueness,
significant cost-efficiencies and, assuming a stable operational
budget, the abilityto leverage other funding sources.
This budget submission is also presented in response to the
National AccreditationCommission requirement that we illustrate
financial security (see CAZA letter). TheCommission recommended
that we present to our municipality a request for funding to
ensure
an adequately funded Accredited Facility for the five-year
period of accreditation and beyond. International Species Survival
Programs (SSPs), including those of the Smithsonian Institute
and the Brazilian Rehabilitation Center, as well as other SSPs
require specific assurances for certification that the highly
endangered species entrusted to the Cherry Brook Zoo in SaintJohn,
New Brunswick are secure and that long term financial plans are in
place.
Cherry Brook Zoo is requesting that the City of Saint John
invest in a national accreditedfacility that is regularly cited as
one of the citys Top Ten tourist attractions.
Much like the citys aging stadiums and arenas, the Zoos
30-year-old facilities are in need of repair and, in some cases,
replacement. Common Council has recognized the need to investin
existing recreational infrastructure. The Zoo has neither received
nor requested capitalfunding from the city. Rather, by the
providing stability to its operational budget, the city willenable
the Zoo to once again begin significant capital projects that have
been put on hold,leveraging the citys contribution to secure
additional funding sources, both public and private.(See attached
capital projects list.)
The Zoos request for funding reflects the Citys priority list of
providing support for recreationalfacilities and cultural spaces.
(Note: Cherry Brook Zoo, including Vanished Kingdom Park, is a
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member of the Canadian Association of Museums.) As well, the Zoo
reflects the Citys priorityon conservation and can provide
educational support for the Citys efforts in this regard.
Saint Johns Cherry Brook Zoo will commit to:
A) Financial recognition of the support provided by city tax
dollars:
Provide Free Group Admissions to the Zoo for all City of Saint
John Leisure ServicesChildrens Summer Programs.
Provide a $50.00 credit for residents of the City of Saint John
to be applied to the annual familymembership fee of $150.00 applied
thereby reducing their cost to $100.00.
Provide a $25.00 credit for residents of the City of Saint to be
applied to the Junior Zoo Keeper Camp Fee of $150.000 thereby
reducing their cost to $125.00.
B) Support of the City of Saint Johns assets and priorities by
providing:
A debt free, nationally accredited facility, currently worth
over 2M dollars (not including animalstock) that includes
extensive, high-interest and educational walking trails plus an
outdoor miniature golf course.
An outdoor recreational facility, attractive to both residents
and tourists, which have beenshown to have a high
cross-generational appeal.
Global recognition of the City of Saint John through:
a) continued participation of Saint Johns Cherry Brook Zoo in
international conservationprograms;
(b) links to the City through the Zoos website and planned web
cams.
Expansion of the Zoo and thus enhancing the citys assets by
embarking on a strategic capitalbuilding plan that will incorporate
additional public and corporate funding sources/partnerships.
Enhanced real estate values in the city. (Letters from
businesses to follow)
A quality of life indicator that will enhance the Citys efforts
to attract new residents.
Visible confirmation of the citys commitment to conservation on
a world-wide basis.
Continued support to both public school and post-secondary
institutions through educationalprograms and relevant work
experience opportunities.
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