Although around the same number of building permits have already been issued in Sundre compared to last year, the total construction value is far lower.
In 2015, the Town of Sundre issued 28 building permits, a total construction value of $5,730,693, but at the halfway point this year, the town has issued 25 building permits for $666,500 worth of construction.
“It's just that 2015 had bigger-ticket building,” said Denica Crosbie, the planner for the Town of Sundre.
A cardlock gas station was built in Sundre, opening on Nov. 20, 2015. It was by far the largest construction project last year.
“That's a $3-million development,” Crosbie said. “That's going to take up a huge chunk of (the total construction value).”
There were also 11 new homes built, including three mobile homes, two triplexes and one duplex.
This year, however, has not had as many commercial construction projects by the midway point of the year, except one new business being built and another being renovated. These two projects have a combined construction value of $140,000.
A majority of this year's building permits were for accessory buildings, such as garages for private residences. It is unclear how many more building permits will be issued this year.
“That's a hard number to decide,” Crosbie said. “There could be some commercial development.”
Sundre has plenty of industrial land that is ripe for building. As well, there is more room for construction in an area where the duplex was built last year.
Crosbie also said there would likely be no more residential construction projects occurring this year.
