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ASHEBORO - As billions in federal stimulus dollars begin to flow from Washington to local and state projects, one of the Triad's cultural and educational destinations won't receive any funding.

Because of specific wording in the $787 billion stimulus legislation, the N.C. Zoo - along with aquariums and other zoos across the nation - isn't eligible for stimulus money.

Zoos and aquariums were dealt another blow when they were categorized with casinos and other gambling establishments, which apparently rank low on the Congressional scale of civic merit.

"None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this act may be used by any state or local government, or any private entity, for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool," the legislation states.

Not surprisingly, the language left local officials baffled and somewhat insulted.

"I don't know where they are coming from on that," said Mary Joan Pugh, chief of staff at the N.C. Zoo.

"Especially in tough economic times when people are trying to escape from the depressing economy and get a break, (the zoo) is an economical place to go,'' Pugh said. "Being grouped with the casinos is not helpful, and it's sad that (lawmakers) think of zoos that way because the American citizens don't."

For the Natural Science Center in Greensboro, the wording of the stimulus legislation makes things tricky because the center qualifies as two things: a zoo, which is barred, and a museum, which is not.

Glenn Dobrogosz, executive director of the Natural Science Center, lobbied Congress on behalf of both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums.

Museums were originally banned from receiving stimulus funding, but a successful lobbying campaign got them reinstated.

"The (zoo and aquarium ban) has everybody scratching their heads," Dobrogosz said. "My question is: If you are going to ban something, why do it to those that have educational, community and tourism components? They are money in the bank."

Stimulus funding, which Dobrogosz said he doesn't expect the science center to receive, could have offset some of the $20 million bond referendum he recently asked the City Council to consider for the November ballot.

The bond referendum money would pay for renovations at the center, including a new roof, flooring, parking facilities and energy-efficient lighting - areas that stimulus money also could address.

But stimulus funds would be banned from addressing other bond projects, such as new exhibits in the Animal Discovery zoological park.

The science center's planned SciQuarium project also is caught between the categories of the federal stimulus legislation. The SciQuarium would qualify for stimulus funds to create a water-conservation exhibit, a weathersphere and more - but would be banned from receiving stimulus funds for the aquarium.

"If there was (stimulus) money to come here, we would have projects that are ready to roll," Dobrogosz said. "There's a short- and long-term impact. The short term is the construction and infrastructure that goes in, and the long term is a massive increase in tourism."

At the N.C. Zoo, Pugh said the stimulus money, if received, could have gone toward construction for two projects that haven't been funded by the state legislature.

The first project is a four-acre $4.5 million Children's Nature Zoo, which is designed for children ages 2-12.

Pugh said private zoo donors are ready to pick up $1.8 million of the cost for that project, but there is no other funding.

The second project is a renovation of the zoo's 30-year-old amphitheater near the Africa entrance.

With $2.5 million, Pugh said the zoo would put a covering on the amphitheater for use in the summer and in rainy weather. The cover would allow the amphitheater to be used for more exhibits and for rentals as well, she said.

Planning for both projects already has been done and could add to the $6 million revenue the zoo generates annually, which in turn benefits the local economy.

"What we have found is that when gas prices go up and people can't afford to go to the beach, they still come to the zoo," Pugh said. "It's an opportunity to get away and spend time as a family. We are an outlet for families seeking enjoyment in these tough economic times."

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com