They knew it was in trouble. But were shocked by how much trouble.

Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) directors reacted at their monthly meeting Wednesday, Nov. 15, to the announcement of the permanent closure of the SPCA branch in Vernon off Old Kamloops Road on Friday, Nov. 17.

The Vernon community animal centre is being shut down due to a number of ongoing structural integrity issues, the BC SPCA said in a release issued Wednesday.

害羞草研究所淲e have been aware of growing concerns related to the building害羞草研究所檚 foundation, walls, and ceiling, but a recent inspection by a structural engineer has also revealed significant issues with the roof that would put the safety of staff, volunteers, animals and members of the public at risk if we keep operating from the facility,害羞草研究所� said Craig Daniell, BC SPCA chief executive officer.

害羞草研究所淪imply repairing the roof would not be a viable solution for the long-term future of the building, as the more than 35-year-old building is located on a former landfill site which is causing the subsidence and cracking of the facility.

The regional district owns the property and buildings.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e known that the building has limped along as long as they could over the years,害羞草研究所� said Lumby Mayor and former board chair Kevin Acton, who said the RDNO last heard from the local SPCA 害羞草研究所渢hree or four years ago.害羞草研究所�

RDNO general manager of strategic and community services Ian Wilson said staff only found out about the planned closure on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

害羞草研究所淲hat we害羞草研究所檝e heard is there are a variety of factors leading to the closure, and the building is one of them,害羞草研究所� said Wilson. 害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e chosen to bolster the Salmon Arm branch. They will still have a local coordinator but they will be sending animals to other areas.害羞草研究所�

Salmon Arm and Kelowna are the two closest BC SPCA facilities to Vernon.

害羞草研究所淲e are working with them (BC SPCA) moving forward, but this will be challenging for us,害羞草研究所� said RDNO rural services manager Andrew Hunsberger. 害羞草研究所淲e have also asked for a copy of the engineer害羞草研究所檚 report.害羞草研究所�

No requests for any help was made to RDNO by the local centre or provincial branch.

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 a whole series of issues this creates,害羞草研究所� said Electoral Area B director Bob Fleming. 害羞草研究所淏ut when we have one day害羞草研究所檚 notice, it害羞草研究所檚 hard to do much.害羞草研究所�

Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming would like a staff report telling directors why the facility is closing and what happens next for the property.

害羞草研究所淣ow what for our own facilities, the property,害羞草研究所� said Cumming, whose motion for a staff report was seconded and supported unanimously by directors.

Daniell stressed that the BC SPCA remains committed to serving the animal welfare needs for the region.

害羞草研究所淢any of the programs and services in place in Vernon, such as animal protection, youth education and community support initiatives, are already regionally based and we are exploring opportunities to further support the community moving forward.害羞草研究所�

Any animals remaining in the BC SPCA害羞草研究所檚 care at the time of the closure will be transferred to the surrounding community animal centres, whose capacities are each being increased to support sheltering activities for the community.

Construction of a new facility in Vernon is not in the works, but there are plans for a new replacement facility in Salmon Arm.

READ MORE: UPDATE: Vernon SPCA closes deteriorating building