GuZoo opens after owner calls judicial review of government’s decision
In April the GuZoo was given a 60 day decommission order to shut down, but owner Lynn Gustafson requested a judicial review of the province’s order. On Tuesday, both the Alberta government and Gustafson agreed the decommissioning process could be stayed until the review is complete. The GuZoo, a popular attraction north of Three Hills, is operational only under strict conditions, including government access to the facility at all times.
Hearing proceedings for the judicial review are scheduled for September 28, and until that time the GuZoo has the right to be open. Since Tuesday, Gustafson says visitors have been trickling in with positive response.
“We’re back, same as we were before,” says the zoo’s owner Lynn Gustafson on Wednesday. “It feels pretty good, it’s still kind of maddening or whatever you want to call it, the way the whole thing's been carried out.”
Gustafson estimates he’s out about $20,000 since being closed in June, attributed to legal fees and lost revenues. He says many volunteers have come out to show support by donating food and time.
Gustafson says to this day he has nothing in writing from the government as to why the zoo was decommissioned.
He called for the judicial review to examine their decision to decommission the zoo in June.
“If they had something, you’d think they would’ve given it to me.”
