Blach Construction (Blach) recently completed an extensive campus expansion project for SPCA Monterey County (SPCA), which included the construction of two new buildings and renovations to the existing Claire Jacobson Learning Center. Designed by Peartree+Belli Architects (PBA), the 10,000 sq. ft. of new construction and 2,500 sq. ft of updated facilities will enhance service offerings for one of the most renowned SPCA’s in the entire country. All work was completed while the SPCA campus remained active, continuing to assist the pets, people and wildlife who depend on them.
“We are delighted with the work that Blach and PBA have done to expand our campus and lifesaving abilities,” said SPCA Monterey County President & CEO Scott Delucchi. “They are true partners who delivered new facilities that will strengthen our operations and improve the well-being of animals in our care. We also extend our deepest appreciation to the generous donors who helped us realize this dream that will impact countless people and animals who depend on us.”
New to the campus is the Sally Lucas TLC Center. Dedicated to treatment, learning and compassion, the TLC Center mends broken bones and heals broken spirits. It has been designed to help the animals most in need of love and support, especially dogs who arrive fearful, under-socialized or showing signs of neglect or abuse.
“Both the SPCA staff and the animals that reside there were at the forefront of our design process,” said David Peartree, Principal at PBA. “To best support the mission, careful consideration was made in developing quiet spaces that provide comfort and trust between animals and the people who care for them.”
Featuring a dog training pavilion, consultation rooms, offices and heated kennels, the new Training Center enables the SPCA to offer a full range of expanded dog training classes and private training sessions. Classes treat separation anxiety, fearfulness, reactivity and more and benefit dogs of all ages, breeds and training levels. Additionally, the new space serves as the home base for the Humane Investigations team that responds to hundreds of animal cruelty and neglect reports every year.
Just across from the TLC Center is the remodeled Claire Jacobson Learning Center. Featuring bird-safe glass and a new outdoor deck with stunning views of the surrounding Monterey County hills, this two-story building is the home to children’s educational Summer Animal Camps and serves as a hub for SPCA volunteers. Building Information Modeling (BIM) was utilized to model this building’s retaining walls and maximize structural support, which was especially significant due to the unique topography and existing utilities at SPCA.
“Given Monterey County requirements related to the viewshed and slopes, it would have been difficult to completely tear down the learning center,” said Blach Vice President Kevin McIntosh. “Remodeling the building proved to be a cost-efficient solution that will extend its useful life for decades.”
This expansion marks Blach’s second project with the SPCA and its first project with PBA – a local, Salinas-based firm. In 2013, Blach completed $13.4 million in preconstruction and construction services for a multi-phase transformation of the SPCA campus, which included a new adoption pavilion, equine facility, a barn, a caretaker’s cottage, a renovated Wildlife Center and Veterinary Clinic and a variety of site infrastructure improvements.
“It is always a pleasure to work with like-minded partners dedicated to delivering quality services,” McIntosh continued. “Collaborating with the SPCA and PBA on these animal-welfare enhancing facilities has been both inspiring and rewarding. Once again, we are proud to have provided new and updated spaces that SPCA animals, staffers and supporters will benefit from for years to come.”
About SPCA Monterey County
Founded in 1905, the SPCA Monterey County is a nonprofit, independent, donor-supported humane society serving the animals and people of Monterey County. We offer a wide variety of services to the community, including low-cost spray, neuter and vaccination services, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, disaster preparedness and response, affordable and fun dog and puppy training classes, animal cruelty and neglect investigation and rescue, sheltering of lost pets, and so much more.
Collaborative builders committed to quality, innovation and customer satisfaction since 1970.
