Toronto Zoo
The full agenda, as filed
All 11 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
ZB18.1received
Toronto Zoo Operational and IUCN World Conservation Congress Update
A verbal presentation will be provided by Dolf DeJong, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Zoo on operations at the Toronto Zoo and an update from the IUCN World Conservation Congress.
The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo received the item for information.
ZB18.2adopted
Indigenous Relations Report on 2025 Activities
This report updates the Toronto Zoo Board of Management on 2025 initiatives led by Toronto Zoo's Indigenous Relations.
The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo: 1. Received the report (October 1, 2025) from the Director, Indigenous Relations, Toronto Zoo for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Director, Indigenous Relations, Toronto Zoo, recommends that: 1. The Board of Management at the Toronto Zoo receive this report for information.
ZB18.3adopted
Attendance and Revenue Report - August 2025
This report will update the Board of Management on the visitor statistics and revenue results for the period 2025-01-01 through 2025-06-30. This report includes a dashboard highlighting some of the key metrics for 2025.
The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo: 1. Received the report (September 24, 2025) from the Chief Transformation Officer, Toronto Zoo for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Transformation Officer, Toronto Zoo, recommends that: 1. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo receive this report for information.
ZB18.4adopted
2026 Operating Plan and Budget
This report submits the Toronto Zoo 2026 Operating Plan and Budget for approval. The Policy and Finance Committee reviewed the 2026 Operating Plan and Budget on 2025-09-23 and recommended it for approval by the Board.
The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo: 1. Approved the 2026 Operating Plan and Budget as described in the report (September 24, 2025) from the Chief Transformation Officer, Toronto Zoo.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Transformation Officer, Toronto Zoo, recommends that: 1. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo approve the 2026 Operating Plan and Budget as described in this report.
ZB18.5adopted
This report submits the 2026-2035 Capital Budget of your Toronto Zoo for approval. The Policy and Finance Committee reviewed the 2026-2035 Capital Budget on 2025-09-23 and recommended it for approval by the Board.
The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo: 1. Approved the 2026-2035 Capital Budget as shown in Attachment 1 to the report (September 24, 2025) from the Chief Transformation Officer. 2. Approved an increase in total construction costs to be tendered under the construction management contract for the Community Conservation Centre (Welcome Area) from $75.0 million up to $77.0 million for PCL in accordance with the approved 2025-2034 capital budget. 3. Authorized the Director, Capital Program and Sustainability or their designate to negotiate and enter into any necessary amendments to the construction management contract for the Community Conservation Centre (Welcome Area) as a result of the adoption of Recommendation 2, on terms acceptable to the Director, Capital Program and Sustainability and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Transformation Officer, Toronto Zoo, recommends that: 1. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo approve the 2026-2035 Capital Budget as shown in Attachment 1. 2. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo approves an increase in total construction costs to be tendered under the construction management contract for the Community Conservation Centre (Welcome Area) from $75.0 million up to $77.0 million for PCL in accordance with the approved 2025-2034 capital budget. 3. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo authorize the Director, Capital Program and Sustainability or their designate to negotiate and enter into any necessary amendments to the construction management contract for the Community Conservation Centre (Welcome Area) as a result of the adoption of Recommendation 2, on terms acceptable to the Director, Capital Program and Sustainability and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
ZB18.6amended
Toronto Zoo Campus Plan Committee Development
In 2026, your Toronto Zoo will launch a planning process to prepare a new Campus Plan to guide the future growth and development of the Zoo. This report intends to establish a Board committee to guide the development of the new 2027 Toronto Zoo Campus Plan.
The Board of Management of Toronto Zoo: 1. Approved the establishment of a Campus Plan Steering Committee to guide the development of the 2027 Toronto Zoo Campus Plan. 2. Adopted the Zoo Board Campus Plan Steering Committee - Terms of Reference as set out in Attachment 1 to the report (September 30, 2025) from the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Zoo . 3. Appointed Ivan Hon, Sarah Bertollo and Edward McDonnell to the Zoo Board Campus Plan Steering Committee.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Zoo, recommends that: 1. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo approve the establishment of a Campus Plan Steering Committee and appoint three board members to guide the development of the 2027 Toronto Zoo Campus Plan.
ZB18.7adopted
SkyPod Gondola Aerial Tramway System
This report recommends the Toronto Zoo partner with EcoTrek Adventure Group on the installation of a gondola aerial tramway, known as the SkyPod; to open to guests in 2027. A Gondola operation is outlined in Section 6.2 of the Master Plan under "Project specific Funding Framework".
The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo: 1. Authorized the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate, to negotiate and execute a commercial agreement, including an agreement that provides for revenue sharing, as appropriate with the EcoTrek Adventure Group or their authorized representative for the installation and operation of the SkyPod for a period of up to 20 years, subject to securing any required licenses or lease from the City of Toronto to permit any required infrastructure installations, all on terms acceptable to the Chief Executive Officer and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 2. Directed that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (September 30, 2025) from the Director, Guest and Site Operations remain confidential as it contains information about a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Director, Guest and Site Operations, Toronto Zoo, recommends that: 1. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo authorize the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate, to negotiate and execute a commercial agreement, including an agreement that provides for revenue sharing, as appropriate with the EcoTrek Adventure Group or their authorized representative for the installation and operation of the SkyPod for a period of up to 20 years, subject to securing any required licenses or lease from the City of Toronto to permit any required infrastructure installations, all on terms acceptable to the Chief Executive Officer and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 2. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 remain confidential as it contains information about a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City.
ZB18.8adopted
Interactive Guest Experience Opportunity - Lantern Festival
This report recommends that the Toronto Zoo enter into a partnership with Zigong Lantern Group to host a lantern festival in Fall 2026.
The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo: 1. Authorized the Chief Transformation Officer, or their designate, to negotiate and execute a commercial agreement with Zigong Lantern Culture Industry Group Co. to deliver a lantern festival experience in 2026, including a revenue-sharing agreement and an option to extend up to three years, all on terms acceptable to the Chief Transformation Officer and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 2. Directed that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (September 30, 2025) from the Director, Guest and Site Operations remain confidential as it contains information about a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Director, Guest and Site Operations, Toronto Zoo, recommends that: 1. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo authorize the Chief Transformation Officer, or their designate, to negotiate and execute a commercial agreement with Zigong Lantern Culture Industry Group Co. to deliver a lantern festival experience in 2026, including a revenue-sharing agreement and an option to extend up to three years, all on terms acceptable to the Chief Transformation Officer and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 2. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 remain confidential as it contains information about a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City.
ZB18.9adopted
This report recommends an amendment to increase the budget for the Polar Bear Life Support System (LSS) and Redirection of the Tundra Trail project (RFT#70) to complete additional work. Confidential Attachment 1 also provides an update on the status of the Life Support System (LSS) work with Pine Valley Corporation.
The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo: 1. Adopted the Confidential Instructions to Staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (September 30, 2025) from the Director, Capital Program and Sustainability. 2. Directed that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (September 30, 2025) from the Director, Capital Program and Sustainability remain confidential as it contains financial information which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of Toronto Zoo Board of Management.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Director, Capital Program and Sustainability, Toronto Zoo, recommends that: 1. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo adopt the Confidential Instructions to Staff in Confidential Attachment 1. 2. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 remain confidential as it contains financial information which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of Toronto Zoo Board of Management.
ZB18.10amended
Potential Development Opportunity
This report seeks authorization from the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo to collaborate with a community partner for the purposes of pursuing funding for a potential development opportunity at the Toronto Zoo.
The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo: 1. Approved the revised Confidential Instructions to Staff in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (September 30, 2025) from the Chief Executive Officer. 2. Directed that Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (September 30, 2025) from the Chief Executive Officer remain confidential in its entirety, as it contains information about an ongoing negotiation that affects the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo. Release of the terms and any direction from the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo related to the terms may affect ongoing negotiations to finalize the arrangement and any required agreement(s).
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Zoo, recommends that: 1. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo approve the Confidential Instructions to Staff in Confidential Attachment 1. 2. The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 remain confidential in its entirety, as it contains information about an ongoing negotiation that affects the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo.
ZB18.11amended
In accordance with Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo Procedural By-law, the schedule of Board meetings for the year, including dates, time, and locations for meetings, will be approved at or before the First Meeting. On July 23 and 24, 2025, City Council considered Item CC32.3 and adopted the meeting schedule for 2026 for City Council and its Committees. The schedule of meetings for the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo has been developed to avoid dates, whenever possible, that conflict with the approved City Council schedule; and to avoid days of cultural or religious significance. The following meetings of the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo have been scheduled for 2026: Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Video Conference Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Toronto Zoo Boardroom, 361A Old Finch Avenue/Video Conference Date: Friday, July 10, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Video Conference Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Toronto Zoo Boardroom, 361A Old Finch Avenue/Video Conference Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Video Conference Date: Friday, December 4, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Toronto Zoo Boardroom, 361A Old Finch Avenue/Video Conference
The Board of Management of Toronto Zoo: 1. Approved the following revised Zoo Board 2026 meeting dates: Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Video Conference Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Toronto Zoo Boardroom, 361A Old Finch Avenue/Video Conference Date: Friday, July 10, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Video Conference Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Toronto Zoo Boardroom, 361A Old Finch Avenue/Video Conference Date: Friday, October 16, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Video Conference Date: Friday, December 4, 2026 Start: 2:00 p.m. Location: Toronto Zoo Boardroom, 361A Old Finch Avenue/Video Conference