Construction set to begin on long-awaited Animal Shelter project

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

NORTH DURHAM: A long-awaited project, to improve the lives of animals in North Durham, is finally moving from drawings to dirt. Work is set to begin next week on a new joint animal shelter for Uxbridge and Scugog Townships, a facility local leaders say will provide a safer, healthier, and more welcoming environment for pets in need.

The new shelter has been in the works since January 2011, when the two municipalities first began exploring options for a joint facility, to replace the aging and undersized shelter currently in use. Over the years, the project has faced delays, related to site selection, funding, and planning approvals, making this autumn’s groundbreaking a milestone more than a decade in the making.

The 6,447-square-foot building will rise at 5500 Lakeridge Road, designed not only to provide modern shelter and veterinary care for displaced and abandoned animals, but also to support adoption services and serve as a hub for community education.

“This project has been in the works for a long time, and it’s something our communities have been waiting for,” said Uxbridge Councillor Willie Popp. “It’s about more than bricks and mortar, it’s about giving animals a safe place and families a chance to welcome a new pet into their lives.”

Scugog resident Karen Mitchell, who adopted her dog from the current shelter, said she is thrilled to see progress. “The staff and volunteers do amazing work, but the old building just isn’t enough anymore,” she said. “This new shelter will mean the animals have the space and care they deserve, and it gives people like me a chance to find a new best friend in a better environment.”

With the building permit now secured, both councils have approved a strategy to begin early site work in October, including a driveway cut-in for equipment, excavation, well installation, hydro utility coordination, and laying the foundation. This preliminary phase comes with a $170,000 budget allowance, split evenly between the two municipalities.

Unlike many municipal builds, the project will not rely on a single general contractor. Instead, it will follow a trade-by-trade procurement model, hiring and managing each trade individually, with oversight from a project manager.

“By taking this approach, as opposed to hiring a general contractor with a fixed fee price, it allows us to use local trades, it allows us to receive in-kind donations, and it allows us to very carefully and proactively manage our scope,” explained, Uxbridge Chief Administrative Officer, Kristi Honey. “For example, the grading plan, which would have normally cost $15,000 to $20,000, was donated.”

Uxbridge Mayor, Dave Barton called the project a win for both animals and people. “This is good for all of us,” he said. “This is good for the animals, this is good for the project, it’s good for our local contractors, especially right now with the challenges of high interest rates and a slower construction market.”

Construction is expected to unfold in stages, with preliminary work finished in November, full construction beginning December 15th, and substantial completion projected for December 2026.