May 18, 2010
One Salt Lake County councilman is criticizing Utah’s Hogle Zoo for plans to use bond money to build a new restaurant.
The zoo will tear down its 15-year-old old Butterfly Gardens building to make way for “Tembo Terrace,” a food service facility and dining area.
Salt Lake County Councilman David Wilde is criticizing the move, saying the money should be used for the animals and that he doesn’t recall discussions about a restaurant.
But the zoo’s director, Craig Dinsmore, says he’s OK with the proposal and that county officials have long been aware of the restaurant plans.
The voter-approved proposition required the zoo to collect $11 million in private funds to be able to access another $33 million in public funds.