Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park

Challenge met

A key milestone for the project was the early completion of the Pilot Barn. This facility enabled the Zoo to acclimate new populations of ungulates well ahead of the public opening. The timing of these animal moves is critical, as the success of the park’s opening depends on having well-established, healthy animal communities settled and thriving before guests arrive. Providing the animals with adequate time to adjust is essential for their well-being and for the long-term success of the park’s conservation and educational goals. Staying on schedule and meeting key deadlines was therefore paramount.

One significant challenge was overcoming long lead times for permanent electrical infrastructure. Alberici identified a creative, cost-effective solution by utilizing existing on-site infrastructure to temporarily power the facility. This allowed the Pilot Barn to be operational on schedule, minimizing disruption to both animal welfare and the broader construction timeline. Maintaining this momentum was vital to ensuring the animals’ acclimation period remained aligned with the overall project delivery and opening goals.