B.C. SPCA’s new Nanaimo animal shelter for which sod was turned in August is taking shape ahead of schedule and according to plan.
The 700-square metre animal shelter being constructed on 4.8 hectares at 154 Westwood Rd. was supposed to be ready for occupancy by mid to late summer 2016, but could be ready to move in by early June.
“Once it started getting going we were actually thinking it would be September that we would open it, but Island West Coast Developments have been doing a great job and they’re anticipating the building could be finished by mid to end of April, if the winter stays mild,” said Leon Davis, Nanaimo SPCA branch manager. “We’d probably need four to six weeks to make the move.”
The roof has been raised on the main building, allowing interior work to start.
Extra expense was incurred when the foundation was being excavated and crews had to clear some rock from the site, adding about $50,000 to the bill, but otherwise there have been few hiccups.
Construction costs of $3.4 million are being paid for with $1.3 million from the province, $150,000 from the city and the balance with SPCA supporter donations.
The Nanaimo branch is also raising another $100,000 through a local fund-raising campaign to pay for extra amenities for the complex, such as off-leash dog park areas for large and small dogs, a dog walking path for walking dogs around the property, a shop and coffee patio for the public.
“We’d really love to have some enrichment for dogs that doesn’t exist in the city, like some agility equipment and things like that,” Davis said.
So far the campaign has raised about $45,000 toward its $100,000 target.
