Attendance was just shy of 100 but it seemed as though everyone and their dog came out to support Powell River SPCA as the organization celebrated a major milestone last week.
During a ceremony that took place at 11 am on Wednesday, July 25, the society broke ground for a new community animal centre being built at 7558 Duncan Street next to Julies Airport Market. Top BC SPCA officials visited the city that day, including CEO Craig Daniell, president Marylee Davies and Linden Loughridge, the society’s regional director for Vancouver Island north.
After an architectural sketch of the building was unveiled, Davies turned over a patch of earth along with City of Powell River Mayor Dave Formosa, Powell River Regional District (PRRD) Chair Colin Palmer and Powell River SPCA volunteer manager Audrey Hill.
“This is a great day,” said Formosa as he addressed the crowd. “We all know that Audrey and her team have been spending many years toward this point.”
Thirty to be exact. Until now, Powell River SPCA has been operating in the community without a physical site, on an annual budget of just $74,000. The new facility, which will open in early 2013, will enable staff and volunteers to care for more than 600 animals every year and greatly expand on services.
“What Audrey Hill and her incredible team have been able to achieve for animals in Powell River is, quite simply, remarkable,” said Davies. “But as the community grows this volunteer model is just not sustainable and the BC SPCA is delighted to be able to invest in Powell River through the construction of a new...community animal centre.”
Currently, Powell River SPCA coordinates the adoption of animals, rehabilitation, fostering programs for pets, emergency care, and subsidized spay and neutering for pets of low-income families. With the new building, services will expand to include educational programs and workshops for youth and adults, a work experience program for youth, school presentations, additional support for youth ambassadors, as well as Powell River’s first BC SPCA Kids’ Summer Camp.
Hill, who spoke at the ceremony, said that in her mind Powell River was finally ready for the facility. “When I joined our Powell River group several people said, ‘oh we need a shelter,’ and I replied no we don’t until we’ve got the surplus pet problem handled,” she said. “[Today] we can truly claim to have arrived at zero euthanasia which is something you should all be truly proud of. Every dollar you raised helped us to achieve that goal.”
Design and construction of the environmentally-conscious facility is being handled locally by Spick and Sons Projects Ltd. and labour will come from within the community as well. Building materials like HardiePlank siding and metal cladding have been chosen especially with low maintenance in mind so that staff can focus on the furry tenants on the inside instead of constant upkeep on the outside. Several businesses in the community have donated materials or services at a reduced rate to keep costs as low as possible for SPCA. Formosa said the city was looking into tax exemptions for the building itself.
Construction on the site is set to begin in the coming weeks and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. BC SPCA donors are covering all land and construction costs for the 2,000-square-foot facility, valued at approximately $860,000. Additionally, PRRD will contribute $75,000 annually toward partial operating costs with city residents contributing the remaining 53 per cent. District residents voted in support of the funding in a referendum held in July 2010 whereas city council consented to a bylaw to support the centre.
“I’ve worked out my taxes for our contribution today,” said Palmer. “Seventy-seven cents a month it’s going to cost my personal taxes. Surely to God that’s worth it.”
To learn more about the project, interested readers may visit the SPCA website.
