Nashville Zoo Veterinary Center Receives Excellence in Construction Award

NASHVILLE, TN – Sept. 30, 2019 – Nashville Zoo was awarded the Excellence in Construction Award in the Special Construction category by the Greater Tennessee Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors for the HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center.

Associated Builders and Contractors is the industry’s premier platform for building competition that recognizes innovative and exemplary merit for construction projects, world class safety and diversity programs.

The Veterinary Center is a destination for Nashville Zoo visitors to discover firsthand how animal care is delivered. A covered observation deck, featuring tiered seating, allows up to 200 people to witness surgeries and other procedures as they occur. The treatment rooms feature cameras connected to monitors on the observation deck, providing guests with an even closer view of our top-notch animal care. Additional viewing windows look into the animal neonatal care rooms where guests can watch feedings and the care of the Zoo's newest additions.

Adjacent to the main lobby, a large classroom, conference room and multi-functional spaces attract a variety of community groups. These areas also provide a location for education programs, revenue-generating special events and after-hours programming.

Public traffic is separated from back-of-house functions to enable staff to perform daily tasks and to ensure animal, staff and visitor safety. In addition to features designed to minimize animals' travel times and anxiety levels during transport, treatment and holding areas also incorporate daylighting to help preserve animals’ natural circadian rhythm throughout treatment.

The hospital features a push alley (permitting animals to walk themselves to the treatment room), induction stall (allowing anesthesia to be administered remotely) and electric lift, all of which promote animal and staff safety. In addition to upgraded medical equipment, remote-controlled lighting, cameras and other modern features, the facility is LEED Silver certified for sustainable building design and operations.

About Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is a nonprofit organization and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is actively engaged in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs and education initiatives around the globe as well as in our own backyard. The Zoo attracts more than 1,000,000 visitors annually and is considered one of the top attractions in Nashville. Nashville Zoo is located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information about Nashville Zoo, visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

About Associated Builders and Contractors

Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 69 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.

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