BY JESSIE BURCHETTE
SALISBURY POST

A Knoxville, Tenn., architectural firm has been selected to do a master plan for the Nature Center at Dan Nicholas Park, including new digs for the two bears.

A committee of the Rowan County Parks and Recreation Commission interviewed three architects from across the country with expertise in zoos and wildlife habitat.

The committee has selected Johnson Architects of Knoxville.

That recommendation will go to the Rowan County Board of Commissioners next month. Details of the contract remain to be worked out by County Manager Tim Russell and parks officials.

Bob Pendergrass, supervisor of the Nature Center at Dan Nicholas Park, cited the Johnson firm’s work with other zoos, including the Knoxville Zoo, and the Chattanooga Nature Center.

“They have quite a bit of expertise,” said Pendergrass, who pointed out that one of the members of the firm is a former director of the Knoxville zoo.

County commissioners at the urging of Russell have put the redesign of the center as a top priority.

And at the top of the priority heap is a suitable habitat for Nikki and Lollie, the two bears who have lived in cramped caging at the park for more than 20 years.

“The first thing will be the bear enclosure,” said Pendergrass.

The design will cover the entire nature center, an area of about two acres.

Representatives of Johnson and two other firms spent a day in Rowan several weeks ago, visiting Dan Nicholas Park, and meeting with the committee.

The overall cost of redesign and construction could run $500,000 or more.

The county has allocated $50,000 as seed money to get the project started.

Parks officials expect to seek grants from government and private sources.

In addition, they expect to do a full-scale fund-raising campaign involving Rowan residents and all visitors to the park.

“There’s a lot of grassroot support,” said Pendergrass. He said that many people are already putting quarters in a donation box near the bear habitat. And some folks slip in larger bills, including tens and 20s.

“People are already asking what they can do to help,” said Pendergrass.

Public input will be welcomed in the design concept according to Pendergrass. Once the contract is set with the architect, they will begin a process of looking at the broad scope of what should be in the master plan.

Among the features suggested by the county manager are some facilities that will house “visiting” animals or birds from other nature centers or zoos.

Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com .