Currituck

Animal Shelter projected at $2.5M

by Chip Johnson
Staff Writer
chip@nencnews.com

     Leaders of the Animal Lovers Assistance League (ALAL) presented plans for a new animal shelter to the Board of Commissioners and County Staff, in a worksession prior to the Monday, December 15 Commissioner’s meeting.

     According to the presentation by ALAL?president, Ginger Sikes, theproposed shelter will cost approximately $2.5 million. The group is seeking funding from the county to cover $1.5 million of the projected cost.

     The proposed facility would include amenities such as dog walks, a clinic, and meeting / educational rooms - making it, in Sikes opinion, one of the best such facilities in the nation. Sikes’ presentation states the ALAL?has nearly $1 million in pledges for donatyions of in-kind services including:?labor, landscaping and other construction oriented tasks.

     The group has earlier requested from the county, an 8 acre portion of the property immediately behind the new Cooperative Extension building. The requested property was originally designated as a portion of the Maple Industrial Park. There was some question at Monday’s worksession, whether the county had in fact donated the property, or had simple stated that they would consider the donation.

     Toward the end of the presentation, county officials suggested looking at the parcel of property immediately west of the Cooperative Extension Center - a parcel of property purchased with a 90/10 aviation grant to prevent residential encroachment on the airport property. Commissioner directed County Manager Dan Scanlon to have county staff to draw up a master plan for the 14 acre tract located west of the Cooperative Extension Center.

     Sikes stress the urgency for a new animal shelter. County officials have stated that the current shelter, other county buildings, and Maple Park all located along Airport Road will have to be relocated when the taxiway expansion project for the airport is undertaken. Officials have stated that the taxiway project is approximately 5 years out.

     Sikes alsowas of the opinion that the county was in a good position to start the building now, due to the slowing exconomy. “The low economy and building costs are working in our favor right now,” Sikes said.

     Commissioner Barry Nelms expressed concerns that granting such a large sum to a non-profit for a capital project may set a president for other non-profits to approach the board for funds.

     Sikes stated that her organization would not own the building; however, she was of the opinion that non-profits have an advantage over the county in soliciting in-kind services.

     According to Scanlon, the county currently has other capital projects planned, including:?a community / rec center, bus garage, northern High School, and fire and rescue facility.

You may contact Chip Johnson at : chip@nencnews.com

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