Congo Classroom
By John Dixon

Riverbanks Zoo has long been one of the nation's premier zoos and leaders in education and species preservation efforts. On Thursday, October 2, zoo officials, were joined by fourth grade students from Mindy Slavich's and Tina Miner's class at Satchel Ford Elementary, Forest Acres City Council, and representatives from Lexington County to unveil the new Congo Classroom across from the gorilla enclosure.

Satch Kranz, the zoo's executive director, told those assembled, "This classroom has many great benefits. It is one more way to teach about conservation, one more unique classroom, and will be great fun for those who rent the zoo at night."

Forest Acres City Council provided the lion's share of the funding for this project from hospitality tax funds because of its value to area students and the boost it will give to area tourism.

Mark Williams, city manager said, "The City of Forest Acres was especially pleased at the opportunity to fund something of a more permanent nature than is typical of most of our Hospitality Tax sponsorships. Riverbanks Zoo is a top tourism destination, and the educational classroom will give both out of town visitors and area school children a place to learn more about the wildlife with whom we share our planet. Of course, it also boosts awareness of Forest Acres and we hope to attract some of the visitors to our many restaurants and stores."

Charles Fetner, Ginger Dukes, and Shel Suber of Forest Acres City Council with Lloyd Lyles, chairman of the Riverbanks Park Commission, and Jan Stamps, a commissioner representing Lexington County.