The Dolphin Adventure History
 On
August 15, 2004, the dolphins at the Indianapolis Zoo gave their last
performance for the public for the next 12 months. Years in the
making, the process of creating the all new Dolphin Adventure at the Zoo had
begun.
In 2001, Zoo staff, along with key community leaders and volunteers,
developed a 15-year Master Plan to push the Zoo to new levels of excellence
in terms of facilities, conservation programs and the experiences delivered
to visitors. Phase I of that plan, the $31 million Campaign for
Conservation and Community, includes the creation of the Dolphin Adventure,
among several other projects, including physical upgrades and improvements
to the Oceans complex and significant conservation and endowment
development.
As soon as the dolphins were relocated to their brand new holding facility,
the $10 million redesign of the 40,000 square foot Pavilion began headed by
architect Kent Pinaire, the Zoo’s manager of special projects, and his
assistant, Keith Schnell. Beginning August 16 and working from plans
created by internationally renowned architects Peckham Guyton, Albers and
Viets, Inc., and Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects, general
contractor Turner Construction began the nine-month process of constructing
something the world has never seen before and the centerpiece of the Dolphin
Adventure – an underwater viewing dome placed squarely in the middle of the
main performance pool.
Simultaneously
with recoating the pools – work done by contractor Corrpro Companies –
Turner began constructing the underwater dome, plus all new scenery that
converts the old Dolphin Pavilion performance arena into something
resembling a coastal wharf village. A crew of about 25 workers moved
rapidly through a variety of tasks, including draining the massive 2.3
million gallons of water in the four pools in the Pavilion, repainting the
interior walls a deep blue color, installing a new proscenium,
re-configuring the grandstands to include a new classroom and changing
rooms, plus upgrading the Pavilion’s life support systems by adding new
ozone equipment, a protein fractionator and a bio filter.
In October, workers poured the concrete for the pillars that support the
acrylic-paneled underwater dome, a 30-foot diameter structure that sits ten
feet from the bottom of the pool and tops out about five feet under the
surface of the pool. Scaffolding encircled the base of the dome, and a
stainless steel frame was installed to support the three-to-five inch thick
panels. In January 2005, Reynolds Polymer Technology, the exhibit
glazing system subcontractor, began erecting the 19 acrylic panels required
to build the dome and two tunnels that lead into it off the lower level
gallery utilizing three different cranes to lift the heavy panels from
outside and into place inside the massive pool.
February and March saw the real beginnings of the village as flat paneled
buildings were added that appear, as designed, eerily three-dimensional.
Real three-dimensional elements include a water tower and lighthouse from
which some of the all-new laser light effects will emanate. Final
interior details were completed in April as everyone prepared for the return
of the dolphins at the end of the month and the Zoo staff began the process
of preparing the public for the opening of the Dolphin Adventure on Memorial
Day Weekend.
Brian May was the project manager for Turner Construction. Other key
players in the Dolphin Adventure include:
• Fink Roberts Petrie, Indianapolis – structural engineer
• Meridian Engineering Group, Indianapolis – mechanical and electrical
engineer
• Adirondack Scenic, Arglye, NY – theatrical elements
• Ermco Inc., Indianapolis – electrical
• North Mechanical Contracting Inc., Indianapolis – plumbing/HVAC
• Shuck Corp., Indianapolis – demolition and concrete
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