Endangered Cherry Brook Zoo gets funding reprieve

Saint John's endangered Cherry Brook Zoo has gotten a funding reprieve, thanks to the neighbouring Kennebecasis Valley communities.

​Leonard Collrin, the zoo's chief administrative director, says Rothesay council has pledged $5,000 in emergency funding, while Quispamsis council has agreed to cut a cheque for $2,500.

Meanwhile, Saint John's new arm's-length grants committee met Tuesday behind closed doors to consider a request for $60,000, but put off making any decision until after the Jan. 15 deadline for all applications.

Collrin had warned the zoo would run out of funds this week to operate and pay its staff.

But he says the money from Rothesay and Quispamsis will now keep the zoo running until at least February, when he's hoping additional funds from Saint John will come through.

Otherwise, the zoo's long-term future is unclear, Collrin has said.

The zoo is seeking $60,000 from Saint John, which is the maximum the grants committee is allowed to allocate to non-profit groups in the city.

If the new committee recommends funding be extended to the zoo, the move will still have to be approved by city council.

Mayor Mel Norton says the city has never agreed to permanently fund the zoo.

"The city does understand that the zoo has a serious financial challenge, based on their letter, and that's why the grants committee is going to … provide a recommendation to council on their request for funding," he said.

Last year, the city gave the zoo $60,000.

The grants committee, which met at noon at the city's leisure services building on Adelaide Street, refused to allow members of the media in, saying it was its first meeting and its guidelines are still being established.

Cherry Brook Zoo opened in 1978 on a 14.1-hectare parcel of land in Rockwood Park.