(AP) — A Scottsbluff zoo has broken ground on a new facility that will include a petting area.

The Riverside Discovery Center says the Heritage Barn will include six pens for petting animals and a classroom with about 30 mounts from its Wildlife World exhibit.

The 2,700-square-foot facility will be located on the southeast end of the zoo. It’s part of a new pathway that’s aimed at improving traffic flow at the zoo.

Interim Board President Tony Kaufman says the new facility is scheduled to open this spring. It’s the first of three phases of construction for the zoo, which includes a new entrance building.