"We had planned a more orderly transfer," Beres said. "Now we may miss that date by a few days."
The temporary facility is smaller than the shelter, but no services will be cut back.
"Operating hours will remain the same: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week," Beres said.
Bluebelle Foundation had offered to keep most of the house cats for free during the renovation.
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Renovations approved before the mudslide
Construction of living kennels and replacement of under-floor heating, infirmary kennels and one restroom was approved in the renovation plan, as was another restroom. Grooming, food-prep and laundry areas were to be upgraded.
Plans also called for the rear of the shelter to be enclosed, with construction to match the rest of the facility; 270 square feet to be added to enlarge the cat area and to accommodate staff and volunteers — all of which might now be moot.
The shell was to remain the same, but that is no longer an option, and the mudslide wiped out the interior, which was to be gutted.
"Some of the areas are really dilapidated," Beres said, barely more than a week before the mudslide. "The shelter has served us well, but it's time."
Proposed improvements to make the facility more energy-efficient included installing skylights that open for ventilation, reducing heat gain or loss with new windows, ceiling insulation and replacing lighting with fluorescent or LED fixtures and in-floor radiant heating instead of a boiler.
Solar panels to heat water or generate electricity were not included in the renovation because of the substantial pay-back period. However, infrastructure for future installation was to be included for the time when escalating utility costs and technological advances make the panels more cost-effective.
Construction was expected to begin in January and be completed by July 2011. That timeline may change depending upon the how salvageable the building is.
