University of all things Doggish proposed

19 Nov 07

The city of Marina (USA) may become a center of higher learning and performance arts for four-legged students with wagging tails. Ggrrwooof!

A proposal to develop what backers are calling the Institute for Canine Studies on nearly 32 acres of city land near Marina Municipal Airport is under preliminary review by city officials.

Bow Wow Wow! Despite detractors who say it will be the kind of place that turns out PhDogs and Bachelor’s of Bone Science, the supporters are optimistic. The canine center would include quarters for groups that train bomb-sniffing dogs, rescue dogs and personal assistance dogs. And they envision a year-round venue for dog shows, competitions and other canine sports.

“One thing you find is venues for significant training activities are harder to come by,” said Martha Diehl, an institute proponent who has border collies at her Big Sur home.

Led by Diehl and Joel Gambord, a retired developer who lives in Pebble Beach, the nonprofit group approached the Marina City Council in July with the proposal as the council was receiving a report on redevelopment opportunities for the 300 acres the city owns around the airport. The land formerly belonged to the Army at Fort Ord.

The council was intrigued and directed city staff members to look into the proposal to see if, in effect, this dog would hunt. “It is unique and does have possibilities,” City Manager Tony Altfeld said this week. “We just have to see how real it is.”

Parties involved in the proposals include the Assistance Dog Institute, the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation and Pups for Peace — who are interested in relocating facilities to Marina.

“It would be a university with buildings,” she said. All three do the same basic thing — “train people to train dogs,” Gambord said. “That’s one of the reasons they are keen to be together.” He said the Santa Rosa-based Assistance Dog Institute is accredited to award university-level degrees to student trainers.

In addition, there would be facilities — including an outdoor show grounds — for dog training and sports activities. A top-notch community dog park would be a logical fit, too, Diehl said.

The idea would be to form a core of canine-related activities “that belong together in an economic cluster” to attract more such uses, she said.

So far, the promoters have been working with the city’s development staff. City Council discussions have been limited to closed-door talks about the parameters of any real estate deal that would be required for the site.

Altfeld said the city’s airport development consultant will work with institute promoters to determine the financial feasibility. Discussion of any development agreements or negotiating rights for the canine institute would be aired publicly before the council, he said.

“You need to see how real the project is,” he said. “Then we’ll take that information back to the council to find out whether they are interested.”

Diehl said the canine studies center would be a natural fit for the airport area because rescue dogs and bomb-sniffing dogs often are flown to emergency scenes. And it could be a money-maker for the city to have a first-class venue for dog shows and competitions.

There are a lot of dog shows held each year in California, and “each one is a good economic generator,” she said.

So far, Gambord is optimistic about the chances of building the institute in Marina. “I would say we are making progress. I think the City Council is warming up to the idea,” he said.

Mayor Ila Mettee-McCutchon said the canine institute is an intriguing proposal. “It could be a catalyst for speeding additional development” in the airport area, she said.

And no, the mayor isn’t worried that Marina could someday be accused of going to the dogs. “I’m not afraid of cliches,” she said.

To read about the proposed Institute for Canine Studies, see www.caninestudies.org

SuperWoof and Paws Crossed that the Dog Institute comes through! Who knows? Even though I’m only a small hound dog, well, maybe there’s a higher education degree in the future for me…..

Awoof! Archie