(Photo courtesy of High Desert Art Museum)
Dramatic upgrades to the exhibit enhance viewing opportunities and otter habitat.
They’re back from Otter Space! The High Desert Museum’s two resident river otters, Brook and Rogue, have settled into their recently renovated exhibit space. Closed since the fall, the exhibit will reopen Saturday, May 21. The Autzen Otter Exhibit first opened in 1983 and remains one of the most popular exhibits at the Museum. Over four million visitors have watched these amazing creatures swim and frolic in this exhibit.
“While the otter exhibit is one of our most beloved, it is also our oldest wildlife exhibit and was facing several issues that were impacting its functionality and visitors’ enjoyment,” said High Desert Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph. D. “The Museum deeply appreciates all the financial support that has made this renovation possible.”
The decision to implement the improvement project resulted from decades-old equipment needing replacement and the awarding of a $250,000 1:1 challenge grant from the Oregon Business Development Department. Additional funding and donations helped the Museum secure its goal to address infrastructural needs and to maximize educational value of the exhibit. Special thanks go to The Autzen Foundation, The Bend Foundation, The Collins Foundation, The Samuel S. Johnson Foundation, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and several generous donors who made considerable contributions.
Renovations included a new roof, energy efficient pumps, sound reduction ceiling tiles and upgrades to the filtration and lighting systems. A beautiful riverside mural painted by Sisters-based muralist David Rock adorns the back wall and complements a new 750 gallon aquarium showcasing native fish. New interpretive panels and interactive displays provide additional information about the life cycle of otters, their role in nature and other plants and animals that live in or along rivers and streams.
Dramatic changes outside include nearly 300 square feet of glass wall that will enhance viewing for children and those in wheelchairs, rock work on the existing walls, landscaping and an otter slide into a second pool.
The architectural firm Hacker (formerly THA Architecture) and the Portico Group of Seattle were the primary partners in the renovation. Keeton King Contracting, LLC was the general contractor and other companies involved included: Jim Crow (Plumbing), Gowdy and Dave Wolf (Electrical), Botanical Developments (Landscape), Day Wireless (Audio Visual & CCTV), Bend Commercial Glass (Glass railing) and Turnstone (Rock Walls).
Scheduled to open May 21, the renovations will enhance both the visitor experience and maintain a healthy and enriching habitat for the Museum’s otters.
