Soon a giraffe, elephant and flamingos can be on the guest list for your wedding, special event or trade show. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo broke ground today for Stillwater Place, a new state-of-the art rentable event center, providing the ability to hold private events in the Zoo during both Zoo hours and after hours.
The elegant 10,000 sq. ft. reception event center, scheduled to open in spring 2015, is strategically situated across from the Zoo's new Circle of Wildlife Carousel with a spectacular view of Waterfowl Lake. The year-round center will feature an outdoor patio with a beautiful fireplace, dance floor, bridal dressing room, heated/air-conditioned transportation and reception capacity up to 300 guests for a sit down dinner.
�Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is one of the most unique wedding and special event locations available,� said Brian Zimmerman, Cleveland Metroparks CEO. �Stillwater Place on scenic Waterfowl Lake, across from the new Circle of Wildlife Carousel, is an ideal location for a distinctively different event.�
Construction of the new facility is estimated at $2.3 million. The Zoo's longtime contracted caterer, aramark, has committed $1 million toward the construction of Stillwater Place. The Cleveland Zoological Society has committed $300,000 and the other $1 million will be funded by Cleveland Metroparks.
Stillwater Place will feature professional event planning services with upscale catering provided by aramark in addition to a state-of-the-art audio/video system.
�Aramark is very excited to extend our longtime partnership with Cleveland Metroparks, including the construction of the new event center,� said ARAMARK District Manager Sam Cario. �This new space will allow us to produce and create a wider variety of events in an environment that is unmatched in Northeast Ohio.�
With Stillwater Place's central location within the Zoo, event guests can take advantage of picturesque photo locations throughout the Zoo in addition to customized packages that could include up-close encounters with animals and Circle of Wildlife Carousel rides.
Northeast Ohio's most-visited year-round attraction, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with hours extended to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is $12.25 per person, $8.25 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children younger than 2 and Zoo members. Parking is free. Located at 3900 Wildlife Way, the Zoo is easily accessible from Interstates 71, 90 and 480.
For more information, visit clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo or call (216) 661-6500.