Building permits dipped in March in the city of North Battleford, although numbers are strong for the year so far.
A total of 10 permits for $883,000 were issued compared to 12 for $2,914,000 issued in March 2010. That is according to the latest numbers presented to North Battleford's municipal services committee Monday, compiled by building inspector Jerry Wintonyk.
Of the permits, three were issued for new dwellings for $715,000, down from five for $1,161,000 in March 2010.
There were also three residential alterations issued for $80,000 (compared to two for $130,000 in March last year), one garage/carport permit for $18,000 and one institutional alteration for $60,000. There were also two removals/demolitions for $10,000.
For the year so far, 19 building permits have been issued for a permit value of $34,232,000, compared to 25 issued for $11,873,000 last year. This puts North Battleford on a pace to top last year's record permit value numbers.
A closer look at the numbers, though, indicates that one project in particular is responsible for the bulk of that $34 million.
Two new commercial permits issued for $31,000,000 make up most of that total. In response to a question from coun. Trent Houk about those numbers, city manager Jim Toye confirmed the building permits were for the theatre and aquatic centre components of the Credit Union CUPlex.
It's expected another $20 million worth of building permits will be issued for the curling and field house components which should further provide a boost in permit values. Toye said those permits are still to come, and that contractor Scott Builders has been been on site this week doing leveling and other work in advance of construction.
As for housing in the city, there continue to be new housing starts. Four new dwelling permits were issued for $1,061,000 this year, compared to five for $1,161,000 in the same period in 2010. One permit for new condo units was issued for $1,273,000 last year but there are none so far this year.
