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SAVE-Meant to Rescue faces unexpected site work fees

Maggie the dog throws caution to the wind and plays a vintage slot machine.  Ryan Williams/WGCN

Maggie the dog throws caution to the wind and plays a vintage slot machine. Ryan Williams/WGCN

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - After years of fundraising, SAVE-Meant to Rescue founder Robynn Eckel thought she would be building an animal shelter by now.

But Eckel said exorbitant site fees are holding the foundation back.

In 2015, the city of Williams donated $10,000 to the rescue group and signed a $1 per year lease agreement for a parcel of city land. The organization had raised $150,000 and members of the group felt they were ready to build.

However, Eckel said excavators evaluated the property and determined it was mostly rock and would require heavy equipment for the site prep work. The property is also located farther from utilities than the group anticipated.

"The site does have quite a bit of rock on it," said councilman Don Dent who spoke about the issue at the July 14 city council meeting. "The excavator said he could bring in enough fill to build it up and not have to hammer out through the rock."

Dent also said the city is looking at options for connecting to city utilities.

"The water is not exactly where we thought it was before or where they were told it was," Dent said. "So we're probably going to have to get the city guys to maybe dig a couple hundred feet of water line to get to where they are."

Eckel said she would like the city to reconsider giving the organization property near the rodeo grounds for the facility.

"This property is a money pit," Eckel said. "Not only is the rock a problem, but utilities are far away and we would have to pay to bring them to the site."

Eckel approached Mayor John Moore about the problem and he told her they would discuss it at the council meeting.

"But it looks like to me that we've moved too far along to make changes at this point," Moore said at the meeting.

"If you remember the reason that we didn't want to build it by the city shop was that we realized eventually, sometime in the future all that stuff is going to have to move," Dent said. "So there's no sense in building this and then 15 to 20 years down the road have to move it."

Dent said once the fill is brought to the site and the water is done the group should be ready to build.

"We're getting close to where we need to be," he said. "But they are going to have to raise more money than what they thought."

In an effort to raise more money for the animal shelter, the rescue group is hosting their annual Casino Night July 22.

The fun and games begin at the Sultana Theatre at 7 p.m. and conclude at 10 p.m. There will be a happy hour prior to the gambling from 6 to 7 p.m.

Attendees can play Texas hold 'em, craps, poker, black jack, and roulette. There will be a raffle and silent auction. Event goers will receive $400 of casino money with tickets purchased at the door. For every $5 spent, gamblers will receive $100 of casino money.

Many local supporters are pitching in for the event. The Sultana Theatre is donating the building for the night. Don Dent and John Moore will be sharing their extensive dealing experience. Josh Bukowiecki, of Arizona Event Professionals, is organizing the event.

Several other local businesses have donated raffle and auction prizes. There will be a large slot machine to be raffled as well as other auction items.

Charlie Basset is the Master of Ceremonies and the live auction will begin at 8:15 p.m. with gambling resuming after it is completed.

Eckel said Casino Night is always a good time and hopes it will be a good fundraiser for the dogs.

"We are really pushing for this final step," Eckel said.

Tickets for the event are $20 and will be available at the door. Additional casino money can be purchased after entry. Cash and checks are preferred. More information can be found by contacting Eckel at (928) 635-4726.


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