Polar Playground opens at Assiniboine Park Zoo

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Feb. 1 for the new Tundra Grill and interactive arctic-themed Polar Playground. Take a look inside these new additions.

There’s a new attraction at Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park Zoo.

The Polar Playground is described as an interactive arctic wonderland.  Zoo officials say the indoor play structure is designed to engage and educate children about polar bears and other northern species.  Visitors will find a moving ice-mass floor, an ice cave with hidden messages, and a responsive Aurora Borealis wall.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony was held Friday morning.

Assiniboine Park Conservancy officials are calling it the first of its kind in Canada.

The Tundra Grill and Arctic Treasures gift shop are now also open to the public.

Next year, restaurant patrons will be able to watch polar bears through a 150 foot wide wall of glass.

Right now, the view is of the Journey to Churchill construction site.  The new polar bear exhibit is set to open in 2014.

To take a look at photos of the new features, visit our gallery at http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/features/in-pictures/