[Moncton] Northwest/Magnetic Hill Developments

[MonctonRad]

Magnetic Hill Zoo News:

The zoo has unveiled their new five year plan today. It will concentrate mostly on the African exhibit.

Highlights:

- they will be building a new $40,000 macaw enclosure this year.
- the zoo's educational centre will be expanded to allow for more camps and programs
- there are plans afoot to build an "African village" with wood thatched huts, with a beach for a new flamingo exhibit, and an exhibit area for African invertebrates, spiders and rodents.
- there will be a new restaurant in this area, built out of shipping containers. There is a possibility this restaurant might be contracted out to a private operator, maybe a restaurant chain.
- As the African exhibit expands, there are plans afoot to operate a "safari tram" to take people around the exhibits.
- new species to be added to the African exhibit include (aside from those already mentioned), meerkats, warthogs, cheetahs and hyenas, as well as several new bird species.

The zoo keeps on getting better and better.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

Nope it will be a McDonald's, look at the colour the tall red middle, the yellow to the right of it. It screams McDonald's lol

Agreed, that will be good because there isn't a McDonalds in this area and they have been looking to build one for a while. It just happened to be a couple exits before another one too. Any idea what the green could be, Needs probably, with a Shell or Sobeys Fast Fuel.

[Ire Narissis]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Magnetic Hill Zoo News:

The zoo has unveiled their new five year plan today. It will concentrate mostly on the African exhibit.

Highlights:

- they will be building a new $40,000 macaw enclosure this year.
- the zoo's educational centre will be expanded to allow for more camps and programs
- there are plans afoot to build an "African village" with wood thatched huts, with a beach for a new flamingo exhibit, and an exhibit area for African invertebrates, spiders and rodents.
- there will be a new restaurant in this area, built out of shipping containers. There is a possibility this restaurant might be contracted out to a private operator, maybe a restaurant chain.
- As the African exhibit expands, there are plans afoot to operate a "safari tram" to take people around the exhibits.
- new species to be added to the African exhibit include (aside from those already mentioned), meerkats, wild boars, cheetahs and hyenas, as well as several new bird species.

The zoo keeps on getting better and better.

Hey Moncton, wanna trade zoos? -Sincerely, Saint John.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by Ire Narissis

Hey Moncton, wanna trade zoos? -Sincerely, Saint John.

There's a Zoo in Saint John?!

[Monctoncore]

Cherry Brook zoo (I think that's what it's called)

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Something may also be afoot on the SW corner of the Gorge Rd/TCH interchange.

There's an excavator on site and earth is being moved.........

Mystery solved.

Nothing spectacular though - it appears to be yet another cell tower.

[Feneant]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Mystery solved.

Nothing spectacular though - it appears to be yet another cell tower.

Boooring...

On another note, an RCS project sign went up yesterday next to Sleep Country on Mapleton although there is NO equipment on site. Could it be they finally found someone to build on one of the remaining pads? (Which would hopefully be a restaurant this time!)

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by Feneant

Boooring...

On another note, an RCS project sign went up yesterday next to Sleep Country on Mapleton although there is equipment on site. Could it be they finally found someone to build on one of the remaining pads? (Which would hopefully be a restaurant this time!)

That's always good news.

Taking the Bus this week I noticed the sign on the empty lot between 500 Mapleton, and Frampton Lane was no longer standing. Anyone know if they finally found a restaurant with drive thru to build there, or did the wind knock over the sign.

[Monctoncore]

One thing I would love to see out in this end of town would be less 3-5 storey apartments and build a couple 8-10 storey ones, for example out near the casino they build that area of five or six 4 storey apartments/condos, imagine what the city would look like if they had of built three 8 story buildings, it would have really changed the landscape of the city. I know it's cheaper land, but maybe the city needs to look at making it more expensive to build out than up.

[Feneant]

Originally Posted by Scarface

That's always good news.

Oops, I thought that looked too positive a reply. Turns out I forgot a word, I meant to say there is NO equipment on site.

I'll edit and correct.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by Feneant

Oops, I thought that looked too positive a reply. Turns out I forgot a word, I meant to say there is NO equipment on site.

I'll edit and correct.

Well still some good news if they have a construction company sign up. They might be waiting to get equipment on site.

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

One thing I would love to see out in this end of town would be less 3-5 storey apartments and build a couple 8-10 storey ones, for example out near the casino they build that area of five or six 4 storey apartments/condos, imagine what the city would look like if they had of built three 8 story buildings, it would have really changed the landscape of the city. I know it's cheaper land, but maybe the city needs to look at making it more expensive to build out than up.

That would actually be nice to see. Usually that type of Construction would start in the downtown core from my experience though.

But looking at available land I think if someone had the money for that type of project. The perfect place would be either the old Trailer park land behind the Mountain Rd. Petro Can. Could probably fit 2 buildings on that lot, or maybe even on the Petro Can lot itself it seems to have multiple addresses, and backs onto the Norwest Trail.

[Mapleton_Roadie]

A rumour from someone with the city last year was that Hooters was spec'ing out the lot beside Sleep Country.
No big deal. Food lousy. Is the one in Halifax still going?

[MonctonRad]

Hooters would not really fit the modestly upscale nature of the Mapleton Centre. I don't buy it........

The Hooters in Halifax is gone - fire apparently, perhaps arson.

[Feneant]

Unless some equipment appears, I might have been mistaken on my assumption- could it be that RCS just put up that sign as they are working on the Tommy location? That's been painted an ugly gray and it has RCS signs in the windows.

I'm really hoping for something to go up there though- the 2 empty spots next to Sleep Country are an eyesore.

[Feneant]

Another notice- the temp Tomavo signs (next to the Dollarama) is gone, so either they will get a their real sign or it will not open.

I don't know if this was linked to Avocado which was rumored to open (In Dieppe though wasn't it?) but they have closed on PEI. In Montague I guess it stank of rotten fruit and was full of fruit flies, perhaps the same in Charlottetown? Either was, I doubt that'll open- and if Tomavo was linked to it, may not open either.

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Magnetic Hill Zoo News:

The zoo has unveiled their new five year plan today. It will concentrate mostly on the African exhibit.

Highlights:

- they will be building a new $40,000 macaw enclosure this year.
- the zoo's educational centre will be expanded to allow for more camps and programs
- there are plans afoot to build an "African village" with wood thatched huts, with a beach for a new flamingo exhibit, and an exhibit area for African invertebrates, spiders and rodents.
- there will be a new restaurant in this area, built out of shipping containers. There is a possibility this restaurant might be contracted out to a private operator, maybe a restaurant chain.
- As the African exhibit expands, there are plans afoot to operate a "safari tram" to take people around the exhibits.
- new species to be added to the African exhibit include (aside from those already mentioned), meerkats, warthogs, cheetahs and hyenas, as well as several new bird species.

The zoo keeps on getting better and better.

Here is a little extra for anyone who wants to read the zoo's five year plan.

http://http://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Visitors+English/Zoo+5-year+Plan+(2016-2021).pdf

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

Here is a little extra for anyone who wants to read the zoo's five year plan.

http://http://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Visitors+English/Zoo+5-year+Plan+(2016-2021).pdf

For some reason, that link doesn't seem to want to work.

Try this:

http://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Visitors+English/Zoo+5-year+Plan+(2016-2021).pdf

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

For some reason, that link doesn't seem to want to work.

Try this:

http://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Visitors+English/Zoo+5-year+Plan+(2016-2021).pdf

Thank you MonctonRad! One point I liked out of that is the idea of tiger cubs, baby camels and gibbons! I hope that there breeding program can work. Those would be huge draws to the zoo

[MonctonRad]

A very interesting document!

With the addition of the new African themed area, the footprint of the zoo will increase from 35 acres to 60 acres.

The image below shows the new expanded layout and where exactly the new attractions will be built:



The African Village will be built adjacent to the current lion and ostrich exhibit, and will serve as the entrance into the African Safari exhibit.

Here is a render of the proposed village. The current lion viewing platform can be seen to the right of the village.

The entrance to the new African Village will veer left off the current entrance to the Pridelands. The décor and interpretive panels will transport the visitors into an African village and will teach about Dr. David Livingstone’s career as an African explorer. Examples include a replica of Dr. Livingstone’s downed plane, African drums, masks, and wood thatched huts. On the east side of the village, visitors will see striped hyenas, cheetahs, and a very large beach full of flamingos.

As the visitors follow a circular shaped pathway, a large tropical house will follow the flamingo beach, and this tropical house will include a large tank of African Cichlids and other small African invertebrates, rodents, arachnids, and meerkats. Next, the visitors will view Red River hogs, guinea-fowl, and Serval cats.

The visitors will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to board a small safari truck and cart to tour through the African plains for barrier free viewing of zebra, ostrich, eland, Barbary sheep, and Watusi cattle. After their safari tour, the visitors can rest in the center of the African village where food vendors with African themed seating areas will be available. In addition to the rest area, a large terrestrial bird exhibit will be in the center of the Village and will house hornbills, secretary birds, Marabou storks, and East African crowned cranes. Finally, the circular shaped pathway will veer to the left once more to direct the visitors into the existing African area to view the African lions.

5 Container Restaurant Project

The new African themed restaurant will be located next to the playground and will feature a variety of culinary delights with a clear view of the playground on one side and an animal exhibit (species as yet to be determined) on the other.



There is no question that after this project is completed, The Magnetic Hill Zoo's status as the fourth best zoo in the country will be well deserved. Right now, the MHZ is kinda the "best of the rest" (after the Granby, metro Toronto and Calgary zoos). With this expansion, we will certainly be distancing ourselves from the rest of the pack.

With the Magic Mountain water park, and with the expanding amusement park adjacent to Magic Mountain, the Magnetic Hill area is going to become by far the best family tourism attraction in Atlantic Canada.

[Feneant]

That is a huge expansion for the zoo, wow- with everything else happening it might re-jump start what the concert site was supposed to do to that side of Mountain Rd. (before it turned out they couldn't get any concerts! ).

On another note- could it be the acre lot between Wheaton's and the Wine making store is no longer sold? The sold stickers have been removed from the for sale sign, which is still present.