Submitted Photo Shown at the groundbreaking for a lion and meerkat exhibit at the Great Plains Zoo are, from left, Ryan Anderson, principal/vice president, Ackerman-Estvold; Jeremy Bickel, lead project designer, Ackerman-Estvold; and Michelle Klobassa, principal at TSP Architectural/MEP/Structural Partner in Sioux Falls, SD.

Ackerman-Estvold of Minot has been involved as the lead designer for the Lion & Meerkat Exhibit for the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Ackerman-Estvold has a longstanding relationship with design in local zoo projects, but this is the first zoo project to be designed and constructed outside of North Dakota.

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to share with the rest of the country the niche design specialty Ackerman-Estvold is well known for. Not many firms our size, or located in North Dakota, can say they are engaged as a consultant or designer in many large-scale animal exhibits. This is an exciting partnership,” said Ryan Anderson, vice president.

The addition expands the African exhibit at the Great Plains Zoo, adding 27,000 square feet of exterior space with unique viewing areas for visitors and an additional 2,000 square feet of interior dayroom space.

Jeremy Bickel, lead project designer, has been involved with the project from the beginning, including project design, liaison during construction and now in the construction management and project wrap-up phases.

“In my career I have been fortunate to develop wonderful connections. These partnerships allowed me to work with Becky Dewitz, chief executive officer for Great Plains Zoo, in her former role in Minot,” he said. “Working with Becky, I have gained a much deeper understanding of how animal safety and enrichment should impact the exhibit design and make for a much better visitor experience. I am really proud of the work our team has done for Great Plains Zoo.”