Superior’s New Animal Shelter Breaks Ground

SUPERIOR - After about 7 years of planning and controversy Superior finally broke ground on its new animal shelter. A symbolic ceremony performed by grade school kids marked a new beginning. Former Superior City Councilors who fought to build the new animal shelter, community members, advocates and the like came out to witness the nearly decade old dream finally coming to fruition."The old shelter is just a horrible, horrible place,” Former Superior City Councilor Dan O’Neil said. “Now we're going to have a nice state of the art shelter." The new building will be located at the Bear Creek Park site and managed by the Humane Society of Douglas County. Officials say the Superior and Douglas County animal shelter will be a no kills center caring for stray and abandoned animals."This building will always symbolize a much greater hope for them and will now ensure that they get not only a second chance at life but also an extremely better chance at finding a loving family," Former Superior City Councilor Mick MacKenzie said."We know this facility will be something the community will be proud of, want to support and want to be apart of," Humane Society of Douglas County President Michelle Porter said. The 6,300 square foot shelter will be fitted with the finest equipment, a large recreation area, adoption center and will even offer medical services."Every effort will be made to provide for new homes for the animals," Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen said. Hagen who once said the new shelter was not a good business decision now says he is fully on board with its refined design."I'm happy, I'm committed, the citY'S committed, the county's committed and I think the community is committed," said Hagen. Construction is expected to start in the coming weeks and wrap up by May of 2015 if weather permits. The Humane Society of Douglas County will kick off a capital campaign this October to help pay for some of the new shelter's equipment.