Turner Construction has won a US$44m (C$60m) job to build the Dog Guides National Training Centre in Oakville, Ontario, which will train puppies to be guide dogs.
The 89,000-sq-ft building will have classrooms and training rooms, indoor and outdoor spaces and 35 guest bedrooms, where clients will stay when bonding with a dog companion.
The facility will be used by the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, which will train dogs aged between 12 to 16 months in seven programs: canine vision, hearing, service, seizure response, autism assistance, diabetes alert and facility support.
The Turner team has decided to foster a puppy, called Turner, who is a member of the crew and currently playing on site, with employees taking turns caring for her, ensuring she is socialised and receives basic obedience training.
Turner (the puppy) is being exposed to sights, sounds, and smells at the construction site, which Turner (the company) says will help her develop into a guide dog.
Stuart Smith, Turner Construction vice president, said: “This facility will better so many lives. We’re building a world class facility which will directly benefit hundreds of Canadians with special needs lives every year.
“The Centre will have a hotel component for families where clients can learn how to work with their dog.”
The Dog Guides National Training Centre is due to be completed in 2026.
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