Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops Pledge Additional $12 Million

Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops Pledge Additional $12 Million to Underwrite Dramatic $25 Million Expansion at America’s Premier Fish and Wildlife Attraction, Wonders of Wildlife.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, April 25, 2008 ) Springfield, Missouri — The expansion and renovation of the Wonders of Wildlife National Fish and Wildlife Museum and Aquarium (WOW) is well underway.

“Great progress is being made on the renovation of Wonders of Wildlife,” stated Peggy Smith, Interim Director of Wonders of Wildlife. The new museum design will make WOW one of America’s premier attractions.”

The theme will be centered around “The Great Outdoors” with a focus on hunting, fishing and conservation/history.

Many world-class exhibits and displays are planned for the new museum including several interactive displays to heighten the visitor’s experience. Some of the displays and features include a flooded rainforest exhibit, a shark touch tank, a large living coral tank, a butterfly aviary and a nocturnal swamp just to name a few. The museum will dramatically increase from 126,129 square feet to more than 200,000 square feet. More exciting details of this plan will be announced in the future.

“With this additional $12 million pledge (to be paid over the next five years), along with cash and assets previously contributed by Morris and others, adequate funds are in place to underwrite this dramatic expansion,” stated Max Peterson, Chairman of Wonders of Wildlife.

“We are grateful to Johnny Morris, not only for his financial contributions, but for the giving of his energy including countless hours of time, to ensure that this is going to be a world-class facility,” continued Peterson.

Long time museum supporter Morris commented, “All of us at Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats are happy to lend our support to help make WOW the most inspirational fish and wildlife attraction and conservation learning center in America. Reinvesting in the future of fish and wildlife conservation and the proud traditions of hunting and fishing is one of the very most important obligations and opportunities we have.”

Morris continued by saying, “We hope that Wonders of Wildlife will be a tremendous inspiration to future generations of outdoor enthusiasts.”

Construction progress has accelerated and a Ring Road allowing pedestrian and fire access around the north end of Wonders of Wildlife will be completed soon. A larger lake will be at the corner of Sunshine and Campbell streets and will be potentially used for conservation and educational purposes. A new vehicular entry will be available that centers around a Springfield landmark—the large oak tree that was adjacent to the Shady Inn.

While the majority of the existing Wonders of Wildlife building will focus primarily on living species the adjacent support space will be used for fixed exhibits. A third level is being considered for more exhibits. Two large mechanical spaces have been cleared allowing for a bridge connection over the community pond offering a new dynamic not previously available.

A new west entrance located on the south end of the museum will be the new main lobby and ticketing facility that expands into the current building and is connected to Bass Pro Shops. Within this space a series of restrooms and vertical circulation paths will be introduced to provide convenience and access and will serve as a gathering place.

A versatile and very capable design team has been assembled with members including TVS Architects, Atlanta, who assisted with the Georgia Aquarium, Peter Chermayeff, renowned aquarium designer, Daryl Richardson, owner and designer of the Dallas World Aquarium and Kenny Alexopoulos, designer of the Oklahoma Aquarium.

The estimated budget cost for the WOW expansion project is $25 million and is targeted for completion in the summer of 2009.

Simultaneously, Bass Pro Shops is undertaking a major expansion, remodeling portions of its existing store including totally new and expanded hunting and fishing departments.

Also, at its expense, Bass Pro Shops plans to construct on land that it owns, a dramatic new conference and banquet space consisting of several floors. It is contemplated that 2 upper mezzanine levels of this facility will be made available for the benefit of the Museum for additional wildlife exhibit space, similar to the Natural History Museum in New York at the nominal rent of $1 a year.


For more information regarding the WOW project, please contact Peggy Smith at (417) 890-9453


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