Posted: May 7, 2009, 5 a.m. EDT
A team of Parson Russell Terriers got the ball rolling on a $10 million indoor dog event facility to be built at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Mo.
The high-energy dogs joined Nestlé Purina PetCare President Terence Block at a groundbreaking ceremony near the future home of the 84,000-square-foot Purina Event Center. The terriers followed their natural instincts and started digging in a sand pit at the construction site.
Block said the celebration for the new center marks an important investment in Purina’s future, “and another long-term commitment to the breeder-enthusiast community.” Purina, he added, will be the first pet food manufacturer to provide an indoor venue that can fully accommodate the range of requirements necessary for a national specialty.
Event guests included about 50 owners and handlers, as well as breeder group members. The new facility is expected to open fall 2010.
The Purina Event Center was designed to host large-scale canine events with thousands of dogs and their owners and handlers at conformation dog shows, obedience and agility trials.