The Assiniboine Park Zoo announced its long-awaited Journey to Churchill exhibit will officially open to the public on July 3.

"Journey to Churchill will open as the greatest northern species zoo exhibit anywhere in the world and that’s something of which Manitobans should be very proud," said Margaret Redmond, president & CEO of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, in a statement.

The exhibit will feature a larger polar bear habitat, along with arctic fox, snowy owl, muskox and seal habitats.

It also houses the province’s largest 360-degree theatre and underwater viewing tunnels.

In preparation of the exhibit’s opening, the zoo will temporarily close from June 23 through July 2, re-opening on July 3 at noon with a new zoo entrance on Roblin also being unveiled.

Admission rates will also rise on July 3, increasing to $18.50 for adults and to $10 for children from ages three through 12.