MOOSE JAW — City hall’s planning and development branch issued nearly 50 more building permits in 2024 than the year before, but the value of those permits was roughly 63 per cent less, data show.
From Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024, the City of Moose Jaw issued 205 building permits that totaled $29,705,817, according to a fourth-quarter report presented during a recent city council meeting. That value included $18.3 million in residential permits, $9.06 million in commercial/industrial permits and $2.3 million in institutional permits.
In comparison, in 2023, the city issued 158 building permits worth $80,309,495, including $7.4 million in residential builds, $22.1 million in commercial/industrial builds and $50.6 million in institutional builds.
Therefore, the permits’ total value decreased year-over-year by $50,603,678, a drop of 63.02 per cent.
Also, the city issued 221 building permits in 2022 worth $106 million, 242 permits in 2021 worth $66.3 million and 260 permits in 2020 worth $30.4 million.
Meanwhile, during Q4 2024, the city issued 42 total permits for projects, including six for accessory building construction, one for an apartment/condo construction, one for a demolition, one for a government/institution construction, 13 for industrial/commercial construction and 20 for residential, the report said.
Also, there were 13 moving permits distributed and four sign permits distributed.
In comparison, there were 33 such permits issued in Q4 2023, 36 permits distributed in Q4 2022, 62 permits issued in Q4 2021 and 61 permits distributed in Q4 2020.
With building inspections, there were 309 building permit inspections and eight building bylaw inspections in 2024, compared to 257 and eight, respectively, in 2023, data shows. There were other inspections last year, including 152 property maintenance checks.
Also, in Q4 2024, the city issued 49 new business licences, renewed four and closed 17, while for the entire year, it issued 266 new licences, renewed 1,706 and closed 183, with 1,789 total business licences addressed.
In comparison, in Q4 2023, the city issued 46 new licences, renewed six and closed 11, while for the entire year, it issued 227 new licences, renewed 1,682 and closed 135, with 1,774 total business licences addressed, the report added.
Recreation
In Q4 2024, 31,397 people used the Kinsmen Sportsplex Pool for 1,631.5 hours, while for the year, 124,266 people attended for 6,119 total hours, the report said.
In comparison, in Q4 2023, 31,497 people used the pool for 1,798.75 hours, while for the year, 121,157 people attended for 6,149.5 total hours.
In Q4 2022, 28,901 people attended for 1,555 hours, while for the year, 106,908 people used the pool for 5,584.75 total hours.
Meanwhile, in Q4 2024, ice groups used the three arenas for 1,977.75 hours, and for the year, it was 4,601 hours, the data showed. Conversely, in 2023, those numbers were 1,958.75 and 4,737, respectively.
At the Yara Centre, 5,831 people used the turf during Q4 2024, while it was 17,711 for the entire year. Conversely, in 2023, those numbers were 5,625 and 17,067, respectively, and in 2022, those numbers were 6,798 and 23,699, respectively.
With drop-ins, 22,706 people used the venue in Q4 2024, while 75,466 used it for the entire year. In comparison, in 2023, those numbers were 21,221 and 72,039, respectively.
Cemeteries
There were 12 regular burials in the Rosedale Cemetery in Q4 2024 and 43 for the year, while there were 26 cremation burials during the quarter and 132 for the year, the report said.
Conversely, in 2023, there were 48 regular burials and 129 cremation burials, while in 2022, those numbers were 59 and 173, respectively.
Also, the parks and recreation branch received 1,178 total calls for service in 2024 and resolved 914 for a clearance rate of 78 per cent, the data showed. Conversely, the year before, those numbers were, respectively, 1,035, 903, and 87 per cent.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, March 24.
