Dr. Jenn Morrow of the Minden Animal Hospital has purchased a vacant lot on Booth Street where she will construct a new modern veterinary clinic.
Paul MacInnes whose name may be familiar to some from his role as chairman of the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners’ Associations made a presentation of behalf of Morrow his daughter to Minden Hills councillors on June 28.
Morrow purchased the Minden veterinary practice three and half years ago and as MacInnes told the room the business has experienced promising growth during that time.
“The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association tells us we are one of the fastest-growing vet clinics in all of Ontario” he said. The clinic has grown from a single-vet clinic to one with two full-time
veterinarians with possibly a third on the way. All staff some of whom were once employed seasonally are employed full time.
“Many of the seasonal residents cottagers are now driving here year-round to get their veterinary care” MacInnes said.
Morrow doesn’t own the building on Bobcaygeon Road the one-time Minden hospital where the clinic is located and has purchased a lot on Booth Street where a new 4000-square-foot facility will be constructed on an acre lot. It will be designed by Vaughan’s Artistree Construction which specializes in the design of veterinary clinics built by Greystone Construction and decorated by Minden’s Sassy Digs.
“It’s a state-of-the-art facility” MacInnes said explaining it would use all-digital X-rays making online consultation with remote specialists easy.
“The building is going to set some new standards it’s going to be extremely energy-efficient and most exciting to me is that it’s going to be one of the first buildings in this area using the principles of low-impact development” he said.
MacInnes said part of this will be the inclusion of permeable paving which reduces phosphorous runoff cools water and helps absorb pollutants.
“The building is being designed to serve the immediate and long-term needs of the clinic and the township of Minden Hills including several exam and consultation rooms dedicated spaces for dentistry X-ray surgery pharmacy and administration all of which are positioned around a central treatment hub” said Ben Jardine of Greystone Construction.
Some of its sustainable construction aspects will include ICF walls oversized windows to maximize natural daylight LED lighting recycled rubber floors and provisions for future solar panels and car-charging stations.
Construction is scheduled to begin this fall with a target completion date of May 2019.
Councillors were ecstatic about the plan.
“Exciting news certainly to see things happen in our community that are cutting edge” said Mayor Brent Devolin.
