By Meagan Nelson
Hogle Zoo could be relocating to a spot closer to BYU campus.
A new proposal open for discussion in the Utah Legislature will determine when and where the zoo will be.
'The zoo can''t expand in its current location,' explained Senate Majority Whip John Valentine, R-Orem. Valentine opened the bill file for the discussion of Hogle Zoo''s future and pending relocation.
Located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon, tourist accessablity, insufficient parking and the inability to expand onto surrounding state and residential property are restrictions the zoo faces, said Mayor Jerry Washburn of Orem.
Although open for discussion, pending decisions are not crucial at this time.
'This is a long-term project,' Valentine said, 'and we are only in the very early stages.'
Thanksgiving Point and Wheeler Farm are two possible sites for the relocation of Hogle Zoo. Washburn said that relocating Hogle Zoo to Utah County would 'simply make zoo access more accessible.'
The problem with the current location, Washburn said, is 'accessibility and expansion.'
'I like the zoo,' said Brandon Frank, 22, from Draper, Utah, majoring in civil engineering. 'I don''t go because it is sort of far from my house.'
Distance is not the only reason students do not spend more time at the zoo.
'I haven''t been there for years,' said Adam Bluth, a sophomore from Scottsdale, Ariz., majoring in international studies. 'It''s so small. I''ve already seen everything a million times.'
Considering expansion of the zoo and the need to enlarge the animal habitats, Bluth said, 'Animals need more space to roam, otherwise they are just prisoners in a jail cell.'
By relocating and expanding the zoo and wildlife attractions, Valentine said he is optimistic that Hogle Zoo could become a greater tourist destination and economic boost to the state.
The zoo is in Salt Lake County, which receives the economic benefits from zoo ownership. The debate about relocating will include the estimated high cost of rebuilding and transporting the zoo to a new location and also the question of who would receive the greatest economic benefit, Valentine said.
'It is possible that it (the bill) will go nowhere,' Valentine said. 'Utah County (Thanksgiving Point) is only one of several proposals on the board,' Valentine said, 'but at least the discussion is ongoing.'
'Thanksgiving Point would be a great place for the zoo,' said Jaden Hellewell, a junior from Orem, Utah, majoring in business management. 'It''s in the middle of the state so more people would have access to it.'