The new Georgian Triangle Humane Society (GTHS) Regional Centre for Pets and People being built in Collingwood will be called the David and Helen Capin Centre, named for the generous couple who served as long-time volunteers and donors.
The new name was revealed during a GTHS donor event at OslerBrook Golf and Country Club on Tuesday night (Nov. 28), where a new video tour of artistic renderings, created by Lett Architects for the new centre, was also shown.
Helen died in 2020, and David died in October 2022. As part of their wills, they left their estate to the Georgian Triangle Humane Society.
“They were great supporters of us for many years. They always looked after us monthly for supplies. They wanted their legacy to live on through the good work we do at the shelter,” said Barbara Foster, vice chair of the GTHS board of directors. “We were very lucky to be the benefactors of their generous estate.”
While details on the exact amount the humane society will receive through the donation is being kept private while the estate works its way through the legal process, the society decided that the couple’s generosity shouldn’t go unnoticed, opting to name the new centre in their honour.
“We’re hoping that with what they did, it might inspire others to get involved with our new regional centre,” said Foster.
“They always believed in being quiet donors, but over the years they came to realize the importance of recognition and inspiring others to give,” said Karen Marsh, interim executive director of the GTHS.
The new planned 19,200-square-foot facility will be located on five acres at 135 Sandford Fleming Dr.
The facility will include outdoor pet memorial gardens, dog enrichment parks, walking trails, an outdoor education centre and a fully accredited companion animal hospital. The facility is also intended to become a community hub for animal lovers.
The facility is expected to cost about $14 million and is slated to open in 2025. A capital campaign is now underway.
Marsh said that as of now, the GTHS is on track with their four-year plan to raise the funds needed for the new centre.
“We’re feeling pretty optimistic at this point,” she said.
The Georgian Triangle Humane Society serves Collingwood, Clearview Township, Wasaga Beach, Meaford and the Town of the Blue Mountains.
The organization is kicking off their Home for the Holidays adoption push for the month of December, where adoption fees for cats and kittens are reduced to help empty the kennels for Christmas, and will be hosting their holiday open house on Dec. 7 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the shelter on Tenth Line.
For more information on the GTHS, click here.
