For the first time in years, admissions and most membership fees will increase at Utah's Hogle Zoo in 2005.
But administrators at the state's largest animal attraction insist visitors will still get plenty of bang for their bucks, birds and boas — in large part because, for the first time in 25 years, the zoo will be adding a new major animal exhibit.
Effective March 1, the zoo will raise the entry price by $1 per person for each age level. The cost will be $8 for adults 12 and over, and $6 for children ages 2-12 and senior citizens 65 years and older. Children 2 and younger still will be admitted free of charge.
Fees for the two most popular annual membership plans, which account for more than 80 percent of zoo members, will raise by $15 each. In March, the family plan will go for $65 and the family-plus plan will cost $75.
It's the first time in four years admission prices will rise and the first time in 12 years membership fees will go up, said Craig Dinsmore, the zoo's executive director. Price hikes are only made when the zoo is adding something "new and better," Dinsmore said Monday after the Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the 2005 budget and fee increases.
This year, that added feature will be Elephant Encounter, funded by a $10.2 million bond. When construction on the project is complete this June, the pachyderms' pad will be increased by 400 percent and will have features such as a larger inhabitant area, a bull pen, a shaded viewing structure and an elephant-sized swimming pool.
The new exhibit, which will exceed American Zoo and Aquarium Association standards, will also put the zoo "on top of the list" to receive more African Elephants, Dinsmore said.
Currently, two elephants — Hy Dari and Christi — call Hogle Zoo home. Eventually, the zoo could accommodate as many as four females and one male.
"This will increase the interest level," Dinsmore said, "and the level of fun."
Dinsmore claims increased zoo admission is still a better bargain than other forms of entertainment such as going to the movies. He explained that you can spend about the same amount of money but stay all day in the outdoors while getting in touch with nature.
"We think the zoo is still a great value," he said. "This is kind of catching up. It's probably been undervalued."
The zoo will be pushing the value of annual memberships, which Dinsmore said offer the best bargain.
The family program allows unlimited zoo admissions to two adults in the same household and their children, 18 and younger, living at home. The family-plus plan gives the added benefit of one additional guest per visit.
Memberships for single parents and couples will increase from $40 to $50; the grandparent price goes from $50 to $65; and the grandparent-plus plan rises from $60 to $75.
The only membership plan that won't see higher fees is the "zoo booster" program. Zoo officials left that price at $100 in hopes of enticing more members to give it a try. Its benefits are similar to the family plan, except zoo boosters can bring two guests per visit and they receive invitations to VIP events.
All memberships include free admission to more than 120 other zoos and aquariums, members-only events, train ticket and education class discounts, and a subscription to "The Safari" newsletter.
Other new features include daily animal presentations, the return of the popular butterflies exhibit and the 11th annual "World of the Wild" juried art show.
E-mail: jody@desnews.com