THE first images of what a multi-million dollar upgrade of the Werribee Open Range Zoo will look like have been released.
As revealed by Star last November, work on the redevelopment, which will include construction of a Wyndham Council Visitor Information Centre, was expected to start this month.
An artist impression of the completed works shows lush gardens and creative art installations welcoming visitors.
A spokesperson for the zoo said interruptions for visitors during the upgrade would be minimal.
“Members visiting the zoo in February will experience some building works near the zoo entrance as construction begins on an exciting new $4.25 million Visitors Arrival Precinct,” the spokesperson said.
“Features of the new entry include an external café and amenities, an additional 400 car parking spaces, a larger retail area or ‘discovery centre, and a Wyndham City Council Visitor Information Centre.”
Wyndham Council CEO Kerry Thompson previously told Star the visitor information centre was a way to capitalise on the 400,000 people that visit the zoo every year.
“As part of the entry precinct redevelopment, a small space, accessible without the requirement to gain entry to the zoo, has been set aside for a satellite information centre,” Ms Thompson said.
“The space will be leased from the zoo at a minimal rate and $150,000 has been allocated in the 2012-2013 budget for the fit-out of the visitor information centre.
