Lake Charles, Louisiana - A groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the beginning of construction on the new Calcasieu Parish Animal Services and Adoption Center. The $19 million project, funded by bonds, aims to provide a state-of-the-art facility that can meet the parish's existing and future animal care needs.
The new center, designed by Jackson and Ryan Architects and Kudla Architects, will feature three new kennel buildings, each spanning 4,400 square feet, as well as a 2,800-square-foot feline building, a 13,500-square-foot intake building, and a 4,436-square-foot enforcement building. The existing administration and adoption building will also undergo renovations.
The project has been years in the making, with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury (CPPJ) first bringing in consultants in 2015. However, the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 hurricanes, which damaged the original facility.
"We are proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of our new Animal Services and Adoption Center," said CPPJ President Anthony Bartie. "This modern facility will not only enhance our commitment to animal care and adoptions but will also be built to withstand future severe weather events. I am especially proud of our project planners and developers for delivering an effective and fiscally responsible approach to this important project."
The new buildings will be constructed to withstand extreme weather conditions, including hurricanes and other natural disasters. The original facility, built in 1998, was damaged in Hurricane Rita and again in the 2020 hurricanes.
Work on the project is expected to begin immediately, with completion estimated by late summer 2026. According to Nathan Areno, CPPJ's Public Health Services Director, "I am excited about this day finally becoming a reality. I appreciate the efforts of everyone who made it happen."