Retired from education, portable classroom now will serve the felines of Oakdale
As Ceres Unified began using its Measure Y bond funds to replace some of its older structures, a portable classroom that once sat on the Argus and Endeavor campus was set to be demolished.
But Oakdale police Lt. Gary Vanderheiden had a different idea in mind for the portable classroom, and the demolition-destined building will become an expansion of the Oakdale Animal Services shelter. “This will double our shelter footprint,” Vanderheiden said in a press release.
Oakdale Animal Services purchased the building for $1, as California law prevented a donation, and the building was transported to Oakdale Animal Services in early June. Vanderhein hopes to use the new building to separate the cats from the dogs awaiting adoption.
In a press release, Vanderhein said he hopes to include a visitors area, a space for people to interact with the cats, and also use the space to separate cats with illnesses or viruses, to curtail outbreaks.
“We were excited to partner with the city of Oakdale to give the building a second life,” said Kristi Britton, CUSD assistant superintendent of business services. “Avoiding demolition costs while helping animals and the families who may eventually adopt them is a satisfying outcome and a great example of agencies working together to maximize public resources.”
The building’s first feline residents will settle into their new home in September after the building has been retrofitted to accommodate their needs.
