EVANSVILLE — A planned aviary at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden got a significant boost Monday from the Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The bureau's board voted 6-0 to recommend a $250,000 grant for the project. Those funds are contingent on Mesker's nonprofit arm raising matching funds.
The Evansville Zoological Society is on its way toward that goal, having raised about $180,000 since October. The $500,000 total would be enough to construct the aviary.
"It's been fantastic, and we really are that close," said Erik Beck, zoo director.
Final approval of the visitors bureau's $250,000 grant rests with the Vanderburgh County Council. That action could occur by January.
The aviary is to have budgies, which are small parakeets native to Australia. It will cover about 1,500 square feet and have stainless steel mesh netting.
"When it rains outside, the birds will get rained on. It will have natural lighting," Beck said.
Entering the aviary will have no cost beyond zoo admission. Those wishing to feed the birds could buy a stick for $2.
The aviary is only one part of the Evansville Zoological Society's $2.8 million capital campaign. Other elements are Engelbrecht Carousel, which opened in July, and a planned event space available for public rentals.
Construction of the aviary "will depend on when we have cash and can put it out for bid," Beck said. He hopes that can occur sometime in 2018.
Beck, a 22-year employee of Mesker who became director three months ago, told the visitors bureau board that the zoo draws about 190,000 visitors a year, and 65 percent of its guests live outside Vanderburgh County.
Investing in new attractions is the best way to keep those guests coming, he said.
The zoo earned re-accreditation from a national association in September.