Humboldt penguins at the Woodland Park Zoo have outlived their 60-year-old home, and plans are underway to build them a state-of-the-art natural exhibit area.

The zoo is conducting their "Pennies for Penguins Community Coin Drive", inviting the public to turn their coins into cash at Coinstar Centers located at more than 300 area stores. The machines offer an option to donate money to charities like the zoo.

Part of the zoo's Long-Range Physical Development Plan, the new Humboldt Penguin Exhibit will be 17,000 square feet in size. The current facility was built in 1947 and was designed for seals and sea lions.

Glass walls will enable visitors to get a "nose to beak" view of the penguins as they pause to look through the glass before splashing, diving and swimming underwater at speeds up to 17 miles an hour.

Penguins will enjoy a shoreline beach, rocky tide pools, temperature controlled water and a rich habitat.

The pool will only have to be filled once. A biofiltration system will filter the water and recycle it. The system was funded by a grant from Seattle Public Utilities.

Fundraising began two years ago and the zoo only has $1 million left to reach the $6 million goal. The zoo is also planning to renovate the west entrance with a landscaped plaza and new visitor amenities, people entering from there will see the penguin exhibit first.

"It will be a key signature entrance. With a 'tuxedo' greeting squad," said Monica Lake, the zoo's capital projects manager. She is referring to the penguins black and white feathers that resemble the formal jacket worn by men.

Eleven schools have signed on to collect coins for the penguin home. The school that brings in the most donations will receive a free visit to the zoo, a penguin themed ice cream party in the historic carousel and an invitation to the exhibit's groundbreaking.

The top school will also be visited by Coba, the zoo's spectacled owl.

"We really invite people to be involved. Penguins are real captivating for kids. They have an affinity to them," said Lake.

Construction on the penguin home starts this June. When the exhibit is finished a year later, 20 breeding pairs of South American penguins will be brought in. Eventually with new penguins born, the exhibit will have room for 60 of the birds

Nesting areas in the exhibit will offer the public an opportunity to see how penguins raise their young.

"It's natural. It gives the birds an opportunity to behave like they do in the wild," said development and communications officer Bettina Woodford.

The zoo may add other penguin species to the exhibit over time. The penguins now have a special visitor each day. A great blue heron often stops in at the penguin area.

The eight penguins now at the zoo will find new homes at other Association of Zoos and Aquariums facilities around the country.

For information on "Pennies For Penguins," call Kyle Halmrast at 548-2500, ext 1129, e-mail kyle.halmrast@zoo.org or visit http://www.zoo.org. The "Pennies For Penguins,"campaign runs through April 30.