The recent building permit boom in the Battlefords is not simply something talked about by civic officials and business leaders.
The results are more and more visible to residents in North Battleford and Battleford who are seeing for themselves the actual construction activity across the region.
Last year saw record building permits of almost $56 million in North Battleford and $26 million in Battleford, and the boom has not let up. So far in 2015, North Battleford has seen almost 37 permits for $8,832,000 and city officials have been predicting even more good news to come.
That amounts to plenty of activity. Here is a rundown of just some of the projects currently on the go within the two communities.
In North Battleford, Do-All Holdings continues to be busy in developing a 22-unit four-storey condominium in the north end of the city on Buhler Avenue in Fairview Heights.
The building itself is now up and construction workers are just starting to turn their attention to putting up the sheeting on the exterior and the shingles on that project. The design of the building is along the same lines of a similar construction in Battleford built a few years ago, but with some improvements.
Officials from the company say they will be finished construction later on this year and occupancy is slated to happen by Christmas 2015.
The other major condominium development is well underway in Kildeer. Saskatoon developers Normandale Holdings Ltd. are behind a four-storey condominium with 28 units being built at 2452 - Kildeer Dr. The size is 11,752 square feet with the value of that project estimated at $5 million.
Also in North Battleford, North Kildeer is to see some major activity of this year with a new subdivision of 40-plus residential lots. The groundbreaking took place in May and was touted by Mayor Ian Hamilton as the first new development in Kildeer in a number of years.
In speaking to the News-Optimist, City Building Inspector Jerry Wintonyk has also noted activity is picking up on the residential side with five to six new houses seeing permits issued, and more on the way.
In the southeast quadrant, construction continues on the expansion of Gold Eagle Casino. The more than 5,000 square foot expansion is nearing completion and is expected to open this summer.
The expansion will accommodate a separate smoking area for the casino. That is expected to solve the ventilation issues at the existing gaming floor area and improve the gaming experience for those visiting.
As well, early work has started on 114th Street on a new nine-unit strip mall development spearheaded by Davandy Properties Inc. Ground work is now underway.
The Co-op is commencing construction this year on a new supply storage warehouse on the south side of Territorial Place Mall, and is planning some upgrades inside the mall itself. As well, a major tender has just gone out for the Co-op Home Centre, said Wintonyk.
Their new Co-op gas bar, convenience store and car wash opened for business late last year as well on Carlton Trail near Walmart.
Much anticipated is construction of the new Saskatchewan Hospital/Integrated Correctional Facility.
Right now preconstruction work is underway on the grounds just north of the existing hospital, to accommodate water and sewer lines and other infrastructure needed for that project. The expectation is that the preconstruction work will be done by July 1 at which time the site will be ready for the full construction to begin. Decisions on tenders and on whether the project will proceed as a private public partnership are still to be decided for the estimated $129 million project.
And on the river valley, renovations have been extensive at the Battlefords River Valley Visitor Centre, formerly known as the Nature Centre. The end goal of the extensive upgrades and alterations, valued at close to $250,000, is so the building can be habitable for year-round occupation by Battlefords Tourism, who operate the facility.
Over in Battleford, 2014 was a big year of building permits. As mayor Derek Mahon pointed out in the year in review editorial piece he submitted to the News-Optimist, it had been a very busy year.
“LMG Manufacturing, Battleford West Place, Co-op convenience store gas bar and car wash, Razorback Trucking, Smoking Guns Oilfield, Battleford Furniture warehouse facility, Foulston Truck Storage and 26 new homes and numerous renovations contributed to the 65 building permits making up the total,” Mahon wrote.
“Kramer Ltd. continues to invest in commercial land development surrounding their dealership on Yellowhead Alley and Kramer Crossing. Battle West Properties, Battleford Town Square and Riverbend Properties are marketing large pieces of land to interested parties. The town-owned Battle Springs subdivision continues to develop and a number of families have chosen this area as their home.”
Some of the major construction projects are still ongoing, with activity clearly visible to those driving past the Tim Hortons on Highway 4 south.
South of Tim Hortons, the new Co-op gas bar and convenience store project continues to unfold, with much of the building now up and visible.
Across from it is construction of a new three-storey apartments being built by BridgeRoads Developments Inc. called Battleford West Place.
Marketed as “adult living” aimed at those 50 and older, 18 of the 24 units are now sold, according to BridgeRoad’s local contact for that development, Chris Odishaw. The expectation is to have occupancy on Nov. 1.
“They’ll finish it in the fall but it takes a while to get occupancy permits,” Odishaw said. He said the electrical and plumbing is basically completed and the siding is just being finished up.
Another major project is being advanced nearby. Heritage Court, 14 lots of land off of Telegraph Road in Battleford, is being developed. A bylaw for the town to enter a servicing agreement for the property was passed at Battleford town council earlier in May.
Do-all Holdings is planning another new development later this year in Battleford as well, after they complete their North Battleford project.
The Town of Battleford also recently approved a development and servicing agreement with Kramer Ltd. for parcels of land and a road allowance within the town, with those 22 residential lots expected to go up for sale.
As for his own business, Odishaw pointed to a new warehouse for Battleford Furniture now open in the industrial area at some 16,000 square feet. The next stage will be a 30,000 square foot showroom along the highway corridor, but Odishaw says that is on hold for now as they keep an eye on economic conditions.
Odishaw credits building incentives in place in the town as well as a strong local economy (despite the recent oil slump), for the continued good building news in Battleford.
“We’re very well diversified. We’re not heavily reliant on oil. Oil has a huge influence, but agriculture has an even bigger influence on our community,” said Odishaw. “Cattle is good, grain farming is good.”
He also points to the location of the community, with proximity to the lakes and “to the corridors north and south.”
