COLLINGWOOD, ONT. – It was a warm and fuzzy day (literally) recently, as the Georgian Triangle Humane Society (GTHS) broke ground on the David & Helen Capin Regional Centre for Pets and People (RCPP), a new facility that will allow the organization to shelter more animals, serve more families in need and meet the growing demands of the south Georgian Bay community.
Located at 135 Sandford Fleming Dr., the $17.6 million initiative aims to create a 19,000-plus-square-foot space that will serve the Town of Collingwood, Clearview Township, the Town of Wasaga Beach, the Municipality of Meaford, Grey Highlands Township and the Town of the Blue Mountains.
Designed by Unity Design Studio and built by Bertram Construction, the RCPP will be a functional and sustainable space that reflects the bond between animals and people, explains a release.
There will be a number of design elements that are geared towards a healthy environment for dogs and cats. For example, there will be pods for housing dogs, with no more than five dogs in a single pod. There is also an opportunity for the dogs to have shared spaces for companionship, and each kennel will have direct access to the outdoors.
For cats, no more than 10 to 20 cats will be in a space, with each room having direct access to natural daylight. There will also be enrichment spaces that provide activities for the felines.
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COURTESY GTHS — Lisa Bertram, owner, director and president of Bertram Construction also attended the event. The company is building the centre.
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COURTESY GTHS — The facility is designed Unity Design Studio and will feature numerous elements that foster comfort for the animals. Michael Gallant, a principal at the firm, was on hand for the event.
Overall, the mechanical system in the centre will be equivalent to that of a health care facility.
Other key points include:
- Shelter for over 5,500 animals annually.
- Providing more than 6,700 spay/neuter surgeries each year.
- Fostering hope for 2,200-plus people in crisis.
- Engaging more than 6,000 youth annually.
- Welcoming 30,000 visitors.
- Supporting 600 volunteers and 50 staff.
“Designing this centre has been both a privilege and a responsibility. We’ve worked on many animal care facilities across Ontario, but few have carried this depth of need, or this level of community resolve. While it’s heartbreaking that demand continues to grow, this building has been created with compassion, intention, and the future in mind,”said Michael Gallant, principal at Unity Design Studio in a statement.
“It’s a space for healing, for connection, and for the life-changing work GTHS carries out every day. We’re proud to help bring it to life.”
The RCPP will replace the current 6,000-square-foot facility that was originally designed in 2007 to support approximately 500 animals per year. The GTHS team currently serves nearly 4,000 animals annually.
“This RCPP is a milestone for the community, and our team is proud to be a part of it,” added Lisa Bertram, owner, director and president of Bertram Construction. “Bertram Construction is a strong supporter of the community and gives back a considerable amount of our profit annually to local charities. This project holds a very special place in our hearts. We’re excited to break ground and build this new centre to support pets and people alike.”
The groundbreaking also marked another milestone in the capital campaign: $10.6 million has been raised toward the $17.6 million goal.
Furthermore, Monika Merz, chair of the GTHS Board of Directors, along with her husband Michael T. Miller, made a significant philanthropic gift to the GTHS, resulting in the naming of the Animal Hospital & Wellness Centre: The Monika Merz and Michael T. Miller Animal Hospital & Wellness Centre, the release adds.
