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Old SPCA building finally demolished

Aug 7, 2015 | 11:57 AM

It’s been a long time coming but the building that the Prince Albert SPCA once called home has finally met its end.

Where the building once stood it is now just an empty lot.

Debbie Lehner, the SPCA’s former executive director was a driving force behind the SPCA’s New Leash on Life campaign to build a new facility. She said despite the conditions the building was in and the extensive efforts that were made to move from that location to the SPCA’s current location, she is still sad to see it go. She said she even took a brick from the building before it was demolished.

“It is a sad day to see it gone,” said Lehner. “Despite the conditions it was in it did hold great memories for all of us. It’s where we started new programs and partnerships and there is just a lot of memories in that building.”

On Thursday, work crews were trucking out the rubble that remained on site from the building to the landfill.

Mayor Greg Dionne said he is happy to see the building demolished.

“It’s been a building that served its purposes for the city and the SPCA for years but because of its age, and its size, and the building of the SPCA’s new location, it was time for it to go,” he said.

“Now that land will be incorporated back into the city yards property,” he added.

Dionne said nothing that was remaining inside the building went to waste. A few non-profit organizations were allowed into the building before it was demolished and they salvaged anything they could, including the gates from some of the kennels.

The SPCA’s old facility had asbestos in the walls, which might have been harmful to the staff and pets. It had little available space and required a number of repairs in the kennels and throughout the building. It also had no ventilation system which caused some of the SPCA’s feline guests to become ill with respiratory illnesses.

The goal for the New Leash on Life campaign that started in 2009 was to raise $3.2 million in five years to build a new facility. The SPCA met that goal and made the move from the old facility to their new facility at North Industrial Drive last summer.

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Twitter: @princealbertnow