In the 1970s and 80s, Animaland was a popular attraction in southern New Brunswick. The site closed more than two decades ago, but this summer the tourist attraction from year's past is making a comeback.
The former Animaland, located near Sussex, N.B., is set to be incorporated into a new campground.
“Anything you do you have to be resourceful. Whatever you got at your fingertips, you have to be able to use and what we have here is an incredible infrastructure,” says Ulie Fournier, campground owner.
That infrastructure includes a zoo full of concrete creatures hidden in the forest and along the paths.
The original Animaland was started in the 1960s by the late Winston Bronnum, a sculptor who specialized in concrete creations – like the giant lobster that sits at the entrance to Shediac, N.B.
“You know Winston, his idea here was to make the Walt Disneyland of the north and as crazy as it sounded, that's what he was trying to do,” says Fournier.
At the time, Animaland was situated on the main highway through southern New Brunswick.
“You had to drive by it to go to Moncton, or P.E.I, or wherever you were going,” says Ralph Carr, deputy mayor of Sussex.
Carr says the highway no longer goes through Penobsquis, but he says turning Animaland into a campground will be a winner.
“I'm very pleased that they're going to revive it and make it a site again. It will be very popular,” says Carr.
“There's a simplicity about it all, it's got a magic about it,” says Fournier.
The new Animaland will re-open later this spring.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron
