New warehouse and West Valley Humane Society roof upgrade in Caldwell lauded by county

Canyon County recently welcomed the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of its new 12,500-square-foot warehouse, in addition to the roof upgrade at the West Valley Humane Society , which is located next door to the warehouse.

Beniton Construction, was responsible for both the construction of the Humane Society building upgrades and the warehouse remodel, and Rick Bugatsch Architecture (RBA) handled the architectural aspects of both projects.

“Their proven track record and expertise in similar projects made them the ideal choice for these significant community improvements,” said Rick Britton, Canyon County facilities and maintenance director.

Britton explained that funding came from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

“The process to obtain these funds involved identifying the needs of the community and demonstrating how the projects would meet those needs,” he said.

The ARPA funds came with specific guidelines on how they could be used, focusing on supporting public health, addressing economic impacts and improving infrastructure. The combined projects were completed on budget, with the total projected cost being $3.39 million.

The new warehouse, which took nine months to construct, will significantly increase storage capacity for county functions. This additional space allows for the storage of county, sheriff’s office, and emergency management equipment, and can accommodate vehicles and trailers. Staff are also considering utilizing the space to store records and further meet the growth needs of other departments.

The West Valley Humane Society building was used as Canyon County’s animal control facility prior to 2011. Once the shelter was privatized in 2011, the Humane Society was able to lease the building from Canyon Couty for a nominal fee. The central location allows for services across Canyon County, the city of Nampa and the city of Caldwell.

The roof upgrade project for the Humane Society was much-needed and included replacing the outdated canvas roof with a wood-framed, solid-top roof. Floor heating within the facility was also added.

Jennifer Adkins, executive director of the West Valley Humane Society explained, “The resounding consensus from staff and volunteers is what a difference the new roof has made on the housing conditions for the dogs in our care. The very first noticeable difference is in climate control the old canvas roofs made it very hot and muggy in the summer, and chilly in the winter. Now, the kennels essentially are kept at the same temperature as the rest of the building. The roof and soundproofing improvements have made a huge impact on the reverberation of noise from barking, too.”

Both projects demonstrate the county’s commitment to long-term improvement for the community.

“The upgraded Humane Society not only provides a better environment for animals but also serves as a hub for community involvement and education,” Britton said. “The new warehouse ensures that the county can efficiently manage its resources, particularly in emergencies. Both projects exemplify how strategic investments can enhance the quality of life for residents and support the county's growth.”

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