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The Dolphin Adventure History
On August 15, 2004, the dolphins at the Indianapolis Zoo gave their last performance for the public for the next 12 months. Years in the making, the process of creating the all new Dolphin Adventure at the Zoo had begun.
In 2001, Zoo staff, along with key community leaders and volunteers, developed a 15-year Master Plan to push the Zoo to new levels of excellence in terms of facilities, conservation programs and the experiences delivered to visitors. Phase I of that plan, the $31 million Campaign for Conservation and Community, includes the creation of the Dolphin Adventure, among several other projects, including physical upgrades and improvements to the World of Waters complex and significant conservation and endowment development.
 As soon as the dolphins were relocated to their brand new holding facility, the $10 million redesign of the 40,000 square foot Pavilion began headed by architect Kent Pinaire, the Zoo’s manager of special projects, and his assistant, Keith Schnell. Beginning August 16 and working from plans created by internationally renowned architects Peckham Guyton, Albers and Viets, Inc., and Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects, general contractor Turner Construction began the nine-month process of constructing something the world has never seen before and the centerpiece of the Dolphin Adventure – an underwater viewing dome placed squarely in the middle of the main performance pool.
 Simultaneously with recoating the pools – work done by contractor Corrpro Companies – Turner began constructing the underwater dome, plus all new scenery that converts the old Dolphin Pavilion performance arena into something resembling a coastal wharf village. A crew of about 25 workers moved rapidly through a variety of tasks, including draining the massive 2.3 million gallons of water in the four pools in the Pavilion, repainting the interior walls a deep blue color, installing a new proscenium, re-configuring the grandstands to include a new classroom and changing rooms, plus upgrading the Pavilion’s life support systems by adding new ozone equipment, a protein fractionator and a bio filter.
 In October, workers poured the concrete for the pillars that support the acrylic-paneled underwater dome, a 30-foot diameter structure that sits ten feet from the bottom of the pool and tops out about five feet under the surface of the pool. Scaffolding encircled the base of the dome, and a stainless steel frame was installed to support the three-to-five inch thick panels. In January 2005, Reynolds Polymer Technology, the exhibit glazing system subcontractor, began erecting the 19 acrylic panels required to build the dome and two tunnels that lead into it off the lower level gallery utilizing three different cranes to lift the heavy panels from outside and into place inside the massive pool.
 February and March saw the real beginnings of the village as flat paneled buildings were added that appear, as designed, eerily three-dimensional. Real three-dimensional elements include a water tower and lighthouse from which some of the all-new laser light effects will emanate. Final interior details were completed in April as everyone prepared for the return of the dolphins at the end of the month and the Zoo staff began the process of preparing the public for the opening of the Dolphin Adventure on Memorial Day Weekend.
Brian May was the project manager for Turner Construction. Other key players in the Dolphin Adventure include:
• Fink Roberts Petrie, Indianapolis – structural engineer
• Meridian Engineering Group, Indianapolis – mechanical and electrical engineer
• Adirondack Scenic, Arglye, NY – theatrical elements
• Ermco Inc., Indianapolis – electrical
• North Mechanical Contracting Inc., Indianapolis – plumbing/HVAC
• Shuck Corp., Indianapolis – demolition and concrete
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