Construction kicks off on new facility for Regina Humane Society

Construction is officially underway on a brand-new $28-million facility for the Regina Humane Society.

The new facility will be double the size of the current location on Armour Road and is being placed in the Harbour Landing neighbourhood.

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The humane society has been trying to secure funding for this project for the past 11 years.

Executive director Lisa Koch expressed just how big of a relief it is to finally get to this point.

“I’ve been with the organization for 31 years and so I’ve seen the organization grow and advance its services to the community over many years,” she said during Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony.

“It’s been a lot of work and when we say many hands and many hearts (have helped), it really is no truer statement. So many people have come to make this project a reality.”

The new facility is being funded through donations and a partnership between the City of Regina and the Regina Humane Society.

In January of 2015, a 20-year Municipal Animal Services Agreement was reached with the city. It called for the city to commit 46 per cent of the costs related to the new facility.

Koch said the new facility will look and feel completely different from the current one.

“We’re just not building a barn,” she said. “We’re essentially building a very large veterinary clinic with all biosecurity finishes and functions to keep the animals and people who visit this shelter safe and healthy.”

The new shelter will also be designed to help animals feel more welcome. They’ll have clean, comfortable and open home-like habitats.

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Having the shelter located in Harbour Landing will also make it more accessible for the community.

Mayor Sandra Masters said Thursday’s ceremony showed just how many people support this project.

“I think the crowd is a testament to the community who has thrown their love, affection and donations into making this a reality,” she said.

“To make a new facility to care for sick and abandoned animals, but in addition to that, to create the education space and ability for community to volunteer and have it accessible on a bus route, it can’t be understated.

“We know it helps people, their well-being. It has been a long time coming and it’s most welcome.”

Construction on the project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2023 assuming all goes well with construction.

The humane society’s current building will remain open during construction.