Brant SPCA a step closer to new shelter

09/11/2006

BY MICHAEL-ALLAN MARION
EXPOSITOR STAFF / BRANTFORD

Local News - Developer King and Benton has given the Brant County SPCA a golden opportunity to find a new home for its shelter by donating a block of land in its emerging Oak Park North business park.

"I'm ecstatic," SPCA manager Robin Kuchma said on the weekend of King and Benton Development Corp.'s donation of 3.5 acres toward the construction of a new $2-million shelter to go in its 427-acre business park on both sides of Oak Park Road just north of Highway 403.

"lt's very generous of (company president) Steve Charest to help us this way," she said in an interview at the Mohawk Street shelter.

The new facility will be near a $500-million combined industrial complex and retail power centre that King and Benton plans to build in partnership with major players in both markets. It includes a 20,000 square foot building with parking and an off-leash dog park. There's also a tentative plan for a kiosk by the Brantford to Paris rail trail and perhaps bike rental opportunities.

The donation gives the SPCA a major boost in its bid to acquire a new, state-of-the-art shelter to replace its current cramped, obsolete facility on Mohawk Street, said Kuchma.

"lt's very challenging to find a suitable location for a shelter that needs a fair amount of land for a building and space for other activities. The Oak Park location is an awesome spot, and we're very proud to be associated with King and Benton's new development."

Charest said he was moved to help the SPCA because his family has a deep association with the society.

"We have a large contingent of animal lovers," he said, noting he takes regular jaunts to the shelter so his two daughters, Meghan, 13, and Jenny, 10, can walk the dogs.

"This is an example of an organization that does find work in the community but needs a little help."

Charest said he and Kuchma have worked together on the concept plan for the new shelter for the past year.

"We've looked at all the financial considerations and I believe it would be sustainable," he said.

Kuchma said the SPCA has gradually saved $400,000 toward the new shelter and will soon announce a full-fledged fundraising drive for the rest.

The facility would allow the society to meet its mandate of animal protection in the city and the county under the amended Ontario SPCA Act, and its contract with the city to provide animal control services. It would also allow the SPCA to offer animal control services to the county

Meanwhile, King and Benton continues to forge ahead with its overall development plan. Charest is seeking an innovative agreement with the city that it be exempt from development charges and the city agree on a different cost-sharing formula for an upgrade to the Oak Park Road interchange.

In return, the company will install all infrastructure services at its cost and pay to have a pipe extended under the 403 to its land. City staff are preparing a report on various aspects of the proposal, after which a special committee of councillors and staff will negotiate details with King and Benton.

Interest in the mega-project has grown since the plan was unveiled less than two weeks ago, said Charest.

"I'm getting calls from so many places."

King and Benton will hold a second open house on its project on Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Best Western Brant Park Inn. The public will hear a presentation on the details of the 4.7-million-square-foot industrial park, the 800,000-square-foot power centre and the SPCA's proposed shelter.