Humane Shelter construction to begin at last

Photo byJim Keyworth
The wait is finally over for the Rim Country's homeless animals.  They'll be in a brand new shelter by November. 

PAYSON (May 2011)- After several false starts and unavoidable delays primarily due to funding, the Humane Society of Central Arizona announced that construction of a new building will be underway within the next few weeks. “We are excited to be ready to begin work on a facility that quite frankly needed to be replaced 10 years ago," says Steven Semmens, HSCAZ board member and construction committee chairman.

Bid proposals were solicited from qualified contractors and five were received including three from valley firms and two from local companies. The selection of a general contractor for the downsized shelter was completed after review of the proposals by the board of directors. They awarded the contract to Amon Builders, Inc. who had been the contractor through the first phase of the original design.

The design calls for approximately 7000 square feet of enclosed space including administrative offices, food preparation and laundry facilities, animal intake, isolation area and treatment rooms. There is also approximately 700 square feet of space for storage, mechanical rooms and sally port.

According to Bill Enlund, HSCAZ board chairman, "The new shelter is being built adjacent to the current facility at 812 S McLane with funds in hand to meet construction costs without need of financing. We continue to receive tremendous support from donors throughout the community at large who understand the overwhelming need to get our animals, staff, and volunteers into a safe, clean and modern shelter." When construction is complete, the existing facility will be demolished to make way for a permanent access road.

Though significantly smaller than the original design the shelter will be fully functional and affordable. Enlund says that the new design was created with future expansion in mind as the community’s needs inevitably grow and funding becomes available.

It is expected that the shelter will be ready for occupancy in November. A grand opening event will be held to celebrate the new shelter and to honor the dedication, efforts and generosity of the countless individuals, organizations and community at large who have come together to make a new shelter a reality for the animals served by the Humane Society of Central Arizona.