Construction activity in the City of Weyburn picked up in the month of May, with construction projects double the value of a year ago, according to the building permit statistics as of the end of May.
Construction activity in the City of Weyburn picked up in the month of May, with construction projects double the value of a year ago, according to the building permit statistics as of the end of May.
City council was told Monday evening that the city has issued 42 permits to date in 2013, worth a total of $14,461,650. This compares to a year ago when there were 70 permits issued, worth $7,175,400.
The number of dwelling units created so far this year is close to last year's numbers, however, but the value of the housing going up is above last year's.
There are a total of 24 dwellings started so far, including nine single family dwellings and 15 multiple family dwellings, worth a total of $5,289,150. A year ago there were 27 dwelling units created worth $3,769,000; this included 11 single family dwelling units, and 16 multiple family units.
Of the 42 permits issued so far this year, 22 of them were issued in May alone, worth just under $3 million. Last year, May saw 21 permits issued worth $1.53 million.
The city currently has 22 residential lots available from the city, however, Martino Verhaeghe, director of planning and development, said in the area of Assiniboia Park School, there are another 50 lots that could be quickly brought up for availability if need be.
The city's parks board heard a request from the Weyburn Dog Park committee, but a decision on their request was put off as the board did not have a quorum available at their meeting on May 27.
Sharon Mulhall and Linda Olson, representing the Dog Park, met with the Parks Board, and asked if the city would consider maintenance of the park, including grass cutting, taking over the insurance policy, emptying the garbage cans, and general maintenance, such as the lights.
The Dog Park group said they have been unable to consistently have enough volunteers step up to do these maintenance chores at the park. The Dog Park board did indicate they would still oversee the financial aspects of the park, such as administering of donations, and would ensure there is a water supply available at the park.
The request has been put off until the next Parks Board meeting, which is set for Friday, June 21.
The board also noted they would like to start planning for the planting of trees along the Red Coat Trail next spring along the entrance to the city via Highway 39. Letters will be sent to various organizations to ask for their participation in the planting; the board will look into the availability of grants.
City council approved a recommendation from the Facilities Committee to order two new signs for the entrance to Weyburn along Highway 39.
The money was set aside in a reserve in 2010 and 2011, with a total of $30,000 in the reserve, waiting for the decision to proceed, and the committee decided on a design which had two bids provided.
A bid from Protouch Signs of Weyburn was for $27,984, but not including installation, while Signal Industries of Regina bid $24,506, with installation included. There is a 14 per cent price difference, council was told, not counting the price of installation which Protouch did not include in their bid.
The city will check with the Parks department about the planting of trees along with the new entrance signs.
Meantime, council was also informed that paving crews will be back in Weyburn for paving by Thursday or Friday this week.
