In an internal email obtained by CTV News, an officer with Winnipeg's K-9 police unit writes about an 11-year battle to have a new kennel built for service dogs.

"Trust me, I'm tired of being told how many times that ball has been dropped on this issue as well as being lied to and assured we will have kennels in a timely manner," states the email.

The kennel was supposed to be part of the plan when the east district police station was built, but it was dropped because of skyrocketing building costs.

Back in 2008, black mould was apparently found in the kennels at the old station on Pandora Avenue. For the last three years, service dogs have been staying in officers' garages, or in kennels behind the Dugald Road police station.

"It is one of those things that is not a good situation and there is no denying that it's the cards that we have been dealt right now and we are trying to make the best and moving forward with it," said Insp. Jim Poole, who oversees the unit.

He said officials have been trying to find money within the city's budget.

Sources told CTV News that officers have been trying to get funding from a range of sources.

Sponsorship Winnipeg was interested in helping find a corporate sponsor to fund a new kennel. Officers were told it would be an easy sell, but the service made the decision not to authorize it.

"That's between the seniors members of the executive in what will be sponsored or not sponsored," said Poole.

Other police service equipment, including memory sticks and the Air 1 helicopter, are currently posted online as waiting for donors.

In the email obtained by CTV News, a new kennel is estimated at costing between $2 million and $3 million.

A tender, meanwhile, closed on Oct. 12 for a new kennel, with an amount listed of $900,000.

City council's finance chairman, Coun. Scott Fielding, said no one is happy with the current situation for the K-9 unit. Officials are trying to find more funds than the $900,000 listed for a tender process, he said.

Insp. Poole expects a new building should be ready by next summer.

The K-9 unit is also facing other challenges. Sources said the K-9 unit supervisor has taken a temporary assignment to another unit. Some members feel that he may not be returning, leaving the unit without a trainer or supervisor.

- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley