While the buildings are nearly complete, the new $6.3 million regional animal shelter in Augusta County is facing another setback due to a delay of the shipment of dog kennels.
The Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Animal Shelter, known today as the Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center, has faced numerous delays since the three localities agreed to move forward with the location at the former Verona Elementary School.
In May, county officials said their goal was to have work completed by the end of June, but said, kennels could lead to an additional delay.
“The new shelter won’t open until they are installed,” said Candy Hensley, assistant county administrator. “I don’t have a schedule for kennel installation yet but have asked the general contractor to provide. This information needs to be incorporated into our move schedule.”
Hensley told AFP that the kennels are scheduled to be shipped on Aug. 22. They will be installed by the manufacturer, she said. The kennels were ordered by Harman Construction as part of their contract, she said. Her notes indicate they were not ordered until May.
Sitework, fencing and landscaping work is currently taking place, and all buildings are nearly complete, she said.
An electrical supply upgrade has been completed by Dominion Energy and connections are now complete from Columbia Gas and Augusta Water.
The focus for right now is on the installation of technology and security equipment.
Work began on the shelter on U.S. 11 last July. The original price tag was estimated at $3 million with a goal to open the doors some time in 2024, but the bids came in much higher than anticipated, pushing the start date back.
Despite the latest timeline disruption, county and shelter officials are working together to coordinate the move, likely to happen in the fall.
“Regular meetings are occurring related to logistically moving when construction is complete and inspections are final,” Hensley said.
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Search “SAWAS” on AFP for additional stories on the animal shelter.
- Regional animal shelter completion pushed back to end of June; additional delays possible
- Augusta County: Regional animal shelter on schedule and budget, should be completed by May
- Work on regional animal shelter ‘progressing well’; completion likely in spring 2025
- Price tag for new animal shelter in Augusta County is double the initial estimate
- Cost to move animal shelter to Verona higher than estimate; timeline is uncertain
- New animal shelter designs shared with owners’ group, public invited to offer comment
- Municipal animal shelter to move to Verona Elementary School in 2024
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Crystal Graham
