New animal shelter to cost $1.5m

Maple Ridge's mayor hopes the district won't need to ask the public if the municipality can borrow money for a new animal shelter.

The district's animal shelter, which sits on municipal property along Jackson Road adjacent to Albion Park, has been located at the same place for more than three decades.

Newer portables were moved to the site several years ago, but they are approaching the end of their usefulness.

Building a new shelter would cost an estimated $1.5 million, and the district would have to borrow money to pay for it if enough money can't be raised in the community.

At a workshop meeting Monday morning, Robson said the SPCA, which provides animal control services through a contract with the district, received a $625,000 donation in 1990 from a private citizen to go towards a new shelter.

It's that money, he said, that should be used now.

The shelter could also be funded through a $10 increase in the dog licence fee, a $300,000 one-time contribution from general revenue, contributions from other municipalities, private sector tenants, community fundraising, senior government grants and an increase in animal control fund bylaw violations.

"It's getting to the point where we will not need to ask the public," Robson told council.

Council approved a motion at the workshop meeting to direct staff to include the $1.5 million in the 2007-2011 financial plan.

If debt borrowing is necessary, Paul Gill, general manager of corporate and financial services, has recommended that the district use a counter petition process to determine if residents want a new shelter built.

Much work needs to be done before then, however, said Gill, who was simply asking for input on Monday.

Maple Ridge Times published on 08/22/2006