The completion of a $6.3 million regional animal shelter in Verona has been delayed to the end of June, according to an update from the county.
The Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Animal Shelter, the new name for the Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center, has faced numerous delays pushing the completion date back at least one month.
“The original goal, which was an aggressive schedule, was to be complete in May. The current goal is to be complete by the end of June, but there is a possible exception being the kennels,” Candy Hensley, the assistant county administrator, told AFP. “The contractor is working to expedite as much as possible, but if not complete, there could be an additional delay.”
Work began on the new shelter at the former Verona Elementary School in July last year. When the announcement was made about the new location, the goal had been to have it open in 2024. However, project estimates came in way over the projected price tag of $3 million and negotiations and modifications resulted in a later start date than planned.
Breaking down the cost, changes
Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro will share the funding of the center based on average usage for the last four years. According to Hensley, the project is within the current budget.
- Augusta County: 59.21 percent, or approximately $3.7 million
- Staunton: 22.75 percent, or approximately $1.4 million
- Waynesboro: 18.04 percent, or approximately $1.1 million
The Verona shelter will be 39,000 square feet; the current Lyndhurst shelter is only 5,000 square feet.
The new shelter will include a separate building for dogs and cats, a livestock holding area, fencing and security cameras, ADA-compliant accessibility and lighting, expansive play yards for dogs, a roam room for cats, a welcoming lobby and visitation areas for adopters.
Making plans for the move
Despite the setback to the timeline, Hensley said that moving logistics meetings are occurring regularly including items the county needs to complete outside of work being done by the contractor.
Among the items discussed are how moving will be staged and preparing for moving staff and animals to the new location.
“I’m being asked almost daily by staff about the upcoming move,” said Jon Hilbert, executive director of the animal shelter. “The anticipation is high.”
Staff members are looking forward to having more space to work and leaving shared work areas behind, he said.
“Most importantly, we are all excited about the design aspects of the animal areas. Having animals in separate buildings and spaced further apart will provide less anxiety and fear and promote more enrichment opportunities.”
Snapshots: Current construction photos
Construction: What’s happening now
- Working to finish flooring
- Remaining cabinetry installation is occurring
- Painting continues
- Door installation continues
- Ceiling installation continues
- Waiting on power upgrade and connection to occur by the middle of June
- After power upgrade, start of HVAC equipment, etc., can occur
- Currently completing requirements with Augusta Water so that the water tap can occur and start of plumbing fixtures can occur
- Currently working on the site in the parking lot, between the buildings, etc.
- Fencing will occur soon
- Working to get internet to the site and complete technology-related work
- Dog kennel manufacturing is occurring
To follow the project online, visit https://augustacountyva.civilspace.io/en/projects/saw-animal-shelter-project-in-verona
Project video
Related stories
Search “SAWAS” on AFP for additional stories on the animal shelter.
- 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
