SIOUX CITY -- The new Sioux City Animal Control shelter is on track to open in March 2010 even though construction was slowed in October due to constant rain, city officials said Friday.

On Monday, city staff will ask the City Council to buy 73 dog kennels and 66 cat cages for the facility, which is being built on city-owned land at 2350 Hawkeye Drive, Stan LaFave, facilities maintenance supervisor, said.

The Mason Co. of Leesburg, Ohio, submitted the low bid of $133,475 to supply the dog kennels, while Suburban Surgical of Wheeling, Ill., submitted the low bid of $21,607 to provide the cat cages and miscellaneous equipment, such as steel examination tables. As a way to reduce construction costs, city crews will install the cages and kennels. The kennels will require assembly, while the cages will not.

The kennels will be made out of galvanized steel frames with "Guillotine" doors so dogs can be transferred to an isolation area in their kennels for cleaning. Each kennel will have a swing-up resting bench and double stainless steel bowls for food and water with a covered top.

In a letter to the council, Police Capt. Pete Groetken said the new building will be called the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center.

"Hopefully, the building will be completely enclosed before winter weather arrives," Groetken wrote.

The new building would replace a dilapidated structure at 2121 18th St.