Scugog and Uxbridge moving forward with New Animal Shelter

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

NORTH DURHAM: The Townships of Uxbridge and Scugog are making significant progress on their new animal shelter, as both councils have approved the next phase of the project. The recent council meetings, on Monday, March 24th, saw the endorsement of the shelter’s scope, approximate cost, and funding, setting the stage for construction.

Located at 5500 Lakeridge Road, the new shelter will serve both communities. The next steps include: completing construction drawings, to meet building permit requirements; issuing a construction tender; and reporting back to council, for the final award and cost approval. Additionally, efforts will continue to secure further funding.

A focus on cost-saving strategies has been central to the project’s planning. Mayors Dave Barton and Wilma Wotten challenged the steering committee to find innovative, budget-friendly solutions, leading to the adoption of an agro-industrial design, using insulated concrete forms (ICF) instead of traditional brick-and-mortar construction. This decision is expected to keep costs significantly lower, with an estimated budget of $3.8 million, far below the $10 million often seen in conventional shelter projects.

Funding for the shelter has been made possible through a combination of municipal contributions, fundraising by NASUS (New Animal Shelter for Uxbridge Scugog), and private donations. NASUS has raised $701,000, and in 2022, Marilyn Ruth Rennie bequeathed $1.1 million to support the project. Currently, $1,901,797 in donations is held in reserve for the shelter’s construction. The Region of Durham will also be approached to issue a debenture, to assist with funding.

Mayor Wilma Wotten expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I am excited to announce we are closer to fulfilling the dream of a new animal shelter, for Uxbridge and Scugog. This is a good news story for our communities, and I cannot wait to invite you to join us at a groundbreaking ceremony.”

Uxbridge Mayor, Dave Barton echoed this sentiment, adding, “This important project has been a long time coming. When I was first elected as mayor, I committed to making this a reality, and I’m proud to say we’ve found a path forward. This is a shelter we can all be proud of.”

Plans for the proposed shelter show it is expected to feature 12 standard kennels, two larger kennels, and two additional units for overflow or isolation. Outdoor dog runs will provide ample space for exercise. A separate cat area will include a housing section, near the front lobby, for visitors to view adoptable cats, and an outdoor enclosure for exercise. The building’s ICF construction will enhance energy efficiency, reducing heating and cooling costs.

Project manager, Mike McCullough confirmed, the construction drawings are complete and an architect has been hired. The Clerks department further emphasized, local materials will be prioritized in construction; the hope being, construction will be able to begin later this year.

Updates on the project will be available, on the municipal websites and social media platforms of Uxbridge and Scugog.