Senior municipal staff joined Mayor Lois Jackson Tuesday afternoon for a groundbreaking ceremony on the $4.2 million Delta Community Animal Shelter project.

To be completed by the end of this year, the 12,000-square-foot facility at the corner of Tilbury and Hopcott roads will replace the outdated, 40-year-old shelter on 80th Street.

The new shelter will feature 18 dog pens including covered outdoor areas, two covered dog runs, five separate cat rooms as well as space for small animals, shelter staff and volunteers.

To oversee the project, CAO George Harvie established the animal shelter steering committee, which is made up of senior staff.

Humphrey Construction Ltd. was awarded the design-build contract.

sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com