DOVER — A groundbreaking ceremony was held June 15 at the future home of Forrest Avenue Animal Hospital, under construction by Green Diamond Builders Inc.

Family members, friends, staff and community leaders joined in the celebration.

Kent County Levy Court Commissioner Jody Sweeney was on hand to congratulate the hospital owners and staff on the beginning of their project.

“Dr. (Kim) Gaines and Forrest Avenue Animal Hospital have been my personal veterinarians for several years,” he said in a prepared statement. “I’m looking forward to continuing to assist them with the Kent County permitting process and seeing their expansion hopes come to fruition.”

Dr. Gaines said she's pleased the project is beginning.

“This project was a long time coming,” she said.

When the original plan of expanding at the hospital's current location did not work out due to the discovery of a cemetery, the hunt was on to find another piece of property. Wanting to keep the name of the practice, the search and available options were limited to Forrest Avenue.

Finally, a location was secured, and the planning process began. With the design on the campus complete, Dr. Gaines began the search for a general contractor.

“It was important to me to find a local company to complete the project,” she commented. “We have so many contacts in this community, and we feel very strongly about community helping community. It was because of this that we decided to partner with Green Diamond Builders. They, too, have multiple contacts in the area, some of which are also our clients. It makes the relationship come full circle.”

The site work, courtesy of Dixon Contracting, is under way to begin construction on the 16-acre veterinary campus. The campus will house two buildings. One building will contain the veterinary practice, with nine exam rooms, compared to four in the current facility. This will allow for separate entrances for dogs and cats, as well as separate exam and treatment rooms, helping the practice maintain its goal of offering a fear-free experience for their patients. A second building will house grooming services. The two buildings combined will maintain a footprint of more than 10,000 square feet.

“Partnering with Green Diamond Builders on this adventure has been wonderful so far, and they came highly recommended,” said Dr. Gaines. “I knew we needed someone local to work on this project given the changes that needed to (be) made to the original plans to fit the new site."

Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce President Judy Diogo agreed.

“We are thrilled that the folks at Green Diamond were able to join the Forrest Avenue Animal Hospital in their dream of a new facility. We are happy that both businesses are and will remain a vibrant part of the central Delaware business community. We look forward to seeing the finished construction!" she said.

The home office of Green Diamond Builders Inc. is in Felton. It specializes in commercial and residential building and has been owned and operated by Steve and Mary Jackson since 2004.

Green Diamond Builders has completed several commercial projects in Kent County over the years: the North Dover Dairy Queen, the Lake Forest High School Agricultural Building, the North Dover Verizon, Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill outbuildings and the Modern Maturity Center day care facility, as well as several commercial fit-outs for restaurants and other storefront businesses.

“We are flattered to have been chosen to partner with Forrest Avenue Animal Hospital on this project,” Mr. Jackson said. “This facility will enable them to expand their business and better service their clients. The campus will surely be a source of pride for Dr. Gaines, her staff, Green Diamond Builders and the community as a whole.”

For more information about Green Diamond Builders, visit here.