SUNDRE – Following years of fluctuating growth, the value of building permits issued by the municipality last year eclipsed the amount of investment in 2022.
Council was recently presented with a detailed breakdown of departmental reports on Monday, Jan. 22 during a regular meeting, including planning and development, which showed significant year-over-year growth.
That’s despite the fact that more building permits were technically issued in 2022 over 2023.
Last year, the municipality issued a total of 32 building permits, which includes residential, commercial, industrial as well as institutional projects. In 2022, that cumulative total amounted to 36.
However, the estimated value of the building permits issued in 2023 amounted to about $9.5 million, a jump that dwarfed the roughly $1.9 million estimated value the year prior.
Among the highest-value building permits issued in 2023 were: a mixed-used building for GTI Petroleum, $1.2 million; a commercial project at the Pioneer Veterinary Clinic, $2.3 million; a Dairy Queen with a drive-through, $1.1 million; and a mixed-used interior project at the former Foothills Lodge, $3 million.
“At this time, renovations to the old seniors lodge on 1st Street NW and the Parkwood Motel on Main Ave. West are undergoing major renovations,” Betty Ann Fountain, senior development officer and special projects coordinator, wrote on Jan. 22 in response to emailed follow-up questions, adding the work will pave the way for residential units including one- and two-bedroom as well as studio-style apartments.
The vast majority of the value of building permits issued last year were “under commercial, industrial and institutional for a combined value of $7,948,000,” Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, told council during the meeting.
In 2022, the total construction value was $1.9 million, with a combined commercial, industrial and institutional value of $175,000, said Nelson.
Last year also saw many new businesses open their doors, with several others coming under new ownership.
“There were a total of nine new businesses opened in 2023, and six businesses were taken over by new owners, for a total of 15 new licenses issued,” said Nelson.
“That is really incredible to get over the $9 million mark in one year,” Coun. Owen Petersen said following the presentation before council carried a motion to approve the report for information.
And in the year ahead, the municipality is already anticipating at least one more substantial project.
“We will be issuing a development permit in the near future for the construction of a 12-unit apartment building on 3rd Street NW," Fountain told the Albertan.
