QHS New Centre Scaled-down to Address Urgency

 

Belleville, ON – “Quinte Humane Society’s shelter is deplorable, overcrowded and unworkable – no more retrofits and repairs can be done to the building, the roof nor to the water well and the septic systems” stated Donna Endicott, Chair of the QHS Board of Directors. Basically, we are one flush away from having to evacuate. In that case, we would work with the OSPCA to determine care options for our animals should we have to close the shelter.”

The QHS Building Committee, comprised of volunteers who are industry experts, has been charged with the mandate to design-build a new Centre on the land owned by QHS at Wallbridge-Loyalist Road north of Dundas Street. The revised building version from the original plan of 16,500 sq ft will be scaled-down to 12,000 sq ft and the budget has been reduced from $9.96 to $5 million.

Although both MP Neil Ellis and MPP Todd Smith are still looking for available funding, the urgency is now. Through the support of the cities of Belleville, Quinte West and Marmora and Lake as well as from many generous supporters, QHS has raised just over $3 million. “Given the urgency of the deplorable conditions of the building, we need to secure bridge financing in order to start construction as soon as possible” added, Marilyn Lawrie, QHS Executive Director.

The scaled-down Centre will not include some of the originally proposed multi-purpose community rooms and the on-site veterinary clinic. Instead, it will incorporate a heated garage for a mobile spay-neuter/vaccination clinic that will better serve all the municipalities in the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, year round.

“Should all go according to plan, we hope to break ground this spring and be in the new centre by Fall 2022.” added Endicott. “We invite everyone to contribute to this urgent community project. Your support can be a one-time gift or a pledge over several months or years. All gifts will be welcomed, including in-kind contributions. Naming opportunities will be offered for gifts that will have a major lasting impact.

Together, within a short time period, we have the opportunity to turn these embarrassing and unacceptable conditions around and make this a victory for our community and for our animals in need.”