Animal Welfare League closing in on completion of new Vienna center

June 3, 2013 at 7:18p.m.

VIENNA

Three months more work and fundraising are needed to complete the Animal Welfare League’s Animal Welfare Care & Education Center.

Roof repairs, electrical and plumbing work, the pouring of a new concrete foundation and lots of cement-block and steel are in place already.

Officials also said some changes have been made to plans for the $4.5 million project at the former ThunderPlex indoor-outdoor baseball and softball complex across state Route 193 from Squaw Creek Country Club.

For example, four outdoor baseball and softball fields at the 21-acre complex will renewed and used for baseball tournaments, and a basement area will be used for off-season baseball and softball training.

Also, plans for the Animal Welfare League and Trumbull County Dog Kennel to share the building may not be finalized in time for the facility’s grand opening Sept. 6, said veterinarian Jeff Williams, the League’s new president.

The building design includes space for the county’s three dog wardens and executive dog warden to carry out their duties, but discussions with the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s office still need to be held before the public-private partnership can be completed.

Meanwhile, Caryn Covelli, a League volunteer and board member, announced her family will donate $500,000 to the project with a goal of attracting another $500,000 from the community to secure the remaining funds needed.