Administrative staff with Iowa Speedway and the City of Newton have been meeting the past couple of weeks to discuss a possible issue with the placement of a dog kennel close to the racetrack’s property.

Newton City officials have been looking for a suitable, city owned site for a new $84,831 eight-stall commercial dog kennel since last October, when Parkview Animal Hospital terminated a longstanding animal control contract with the city. At the December 16th City Council meeting, council members voiced strong support for placing the kennel at the Iowa Speedway pump station southeast of the speedway. 

Iowa Speedway’s Senior Director of Operations, Tyler Clement, says their staff has provided the city information on noises created by state training on their property. Clement claims these noises have historically created a conflict during this training at a DMACC property in Polk County, which is across the street from the Animal Rescue League. 

“It’s all surrounding siren usage and things that create discomfort to animals. We understand the challenges you have in placing a facility like this, but want to do our best to educate you to hopefully resolve conflict before we have them.”

Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess has said the dog kennel could be ready to go at the city-owned pump station by the track in May at the latest, when Parkview Animal Hospital will stop accepting any dogs from the City. The City-purchased kennel is being stored at 500 West 7th Street North in Newton.