2010 building permit stats reflect growth

    Developments in Drumheller are showing growth as the 2010 building permit statistics released Monday suggest.     “If the speed limit was 100 km/h, right now we’d be going at 98 km/h,” said Economic Development officer Ray Telford. “I think it’s better than I expected, because you hear how slow things are and when you see the end results, you say ‘it was actually pretty good.’”
    Total construction value in the town saw a 3.5 per cent increase over last year’s, at $26,164,541 total.
    Telford expects even more growth in 2011, although no big projects have been announced, industry is picking up in Alberta once again.
    “It’ll be nice steady growth as well – tourism is really picking up in Alberta and that’s going to be a part of the growth in the next five years.”
    Construction from Tim Horton’s ($800,000), Agriculture Financial Services Corporation’s interior/exterior renovations ($500,000), warehouse expansion at Ralston’s ($560,000) and the Badlands Community Facility ($15,735,200) make up the bulk of total construction values for 2010.
    Twenty-three single family dwelling permits and seven new mobile home permits were issued in 2010, the highest number since 2006.
    “That shows there was good growth of population, said Telford. “The total permits issued is lower than 2009, but dwelling permits issued are high which shows people are moving in.”
    Drumheller hadn’t seen this many total residential permits issued since 2008.
    Commercial permits were up as well, bucking the trend of decreases in commercial permits since 2003, with a spike last seen in 2005.
    Institutional figures are comprised from development on properties such as schools, hospitals, the penitentiary, museum, and churches. Four were issued in 2010, with the Badlands Community Facility adding the bulk of the $16,155,200 total value.
    Industrial permits haven’t seen the same growth since 2006, and have fallen considerably since 2009. Industrial figures are down 85 per cent this year, with the Ralston’s expansion accounting for the only one issued. Last year saw six issued, totally $3,692,584. 2007 was the last time 17 permits were issued.
    Zero recreational permits were issued in 2010, over 2009’s two ($106,000).