CNR Regional Excellence Award Goes to Sea Lion Sound: PGAV Destinations Honored for Design
Saint Louis Zoo’s Latest Addition Receives Third Award
(St. Louis, MO – October 1, 2013) –St. Louis Construction News and Review Magazine announced that PGAV Destinations– designed Saint Louis Zoo’s Sea Lion Sound won a Regional Excellence Award – the only comprehensive award recognizing the best results of the construction industry when all the sectors – owners, designers and contractors – work together as a team.
The CNR Regional Excellence Awards were established in 1989 to recognize projects which demonstrate excellence in design, excellence in construction, and a positive contribution to the St. Louis community. Sea Lion Sound designers Mariusz Bleszynski and Rosey Masek-Block were presented the Entertainment and Recreation award along with SWT Design, Rhodey-Castle, and Alberici Constructors.
The new exhibit recently received the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Significant Achievement in Exhibit Design Award as well as the Concrete Council & American Steel Fabrication’s Quality Concrete Award.
The Saint Louis Zoo set an all-time record attendance in 2012, more than 3.5 million visitors, and attributed the success partially to the newly opened Sea Lion Sound. “We had a terrific year because the greater our attendance, the more people we reach and the greater opportunity we have to engage everyone in conserving animals and their habitats,” said Jeffrey P. Bonner, Ph. D., Dana Brown President & CEO of the Saint Louis Zoo.
The Pacific Northwest-inspired exhibit showcases the first 35-foot-long pinniped (fin-footed marine mammals) tunnel in North America, allowing guests to walk beneath and through the animals’ habitat as they swim and play around them. The exhibit also allows for a variety of above and below engagement opportunities as well as the ever-popular, state of the art First Bank Sea Lion Show each day. [PGAV Video]
PGAV Destinations continues to work on additional zoo and aquarium projects around the world, including Columbus Zoo’s Safari Africa!, Tulsa Zoo’s Lost Kingdom, South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rescue Center, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, and Saint Louis Zoo’s McDonnell Polar Bear Point.
About PGAV Destinations
PGAV Destinations is a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations. Now in its fifth decade, the practice has evolved to become the ideal destination-consulting partner, skilled at developing growth-oriented master plans and translating those plans into successful projects. No other firm offers such an integrated approach to destination planning.
PGAV’s key clients include industry leaders such as Delaware North Companies, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, the Biltmore Companies, Bass Pro Shops, Ameristar Casinos, Universal Studios, The Gettysburg Foundation, The National Aviary, and many others. Recent assignments include planning and design at many of the world’s “must see” destinations, including the Grand Canyon, Biltmore Estate, Kennedy Space Center, Hearst Castle, the Georgia Aquarium, the Hoover Dam, and SeaWorld Adventure Parks. www.PGAVDestinations.com
About the Saint Louis Zoo
Named America’s #1 Zoo by Zagat Survey and Parenting Magazine, the Saint Louis Zoo is widely recognized for its innovative approaches to animal management, wildlife conservation, research and education. One of the few free zoos in the nation, it attracts about 3,000,000 visitors a year. http://www.stlzoo.org/
