There are 13 building permits in La Ronge this year compared to 23 in 2018. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Infrastructure Development

La Ronge building permit values drop compared to 2018

Aug 2, 2019 | 5:00 PM

The estimated value of construction projects in La Ronge so far this year is well below the $12.2 million forecasted in 2018.

In the first seven months of 2019, there were 13 permits issued by the municipality for an estimated value of $3.7 million. That’s compared to 23 permits in all of 2018, which held a value of $12.2 million. The most value on this year’s permits are $2 million for two multi-family dwellings, $800,000 for one single-family dwelling and two commercial/industrial permits worth $570,000. An additional $275,000 is for commercial/industrial renovations.

“I think this year kind of makes up for the big increase that was last year,” said La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich. “There were all kinds of new government regulations, all federal, with respect to building codes, heating and stuff like that. A lot of the companies who had intentions on building did so and started last year or they got all their ducks in order so to say.”

The provincial and federal government also invested heavily in La Ronge in 2018 as a number of projects such as a 10-unit seniors centre, apartments for women and children fleeing domestic violence and a care home for adults with mental impairment were built. Woytowich noted the town also spent a considerable amount of money completing long-term construction projects at the airport.

In 2018, the highest value for building permits came from $5.8 million for five commercial and industrial renovations. An additional $2.4 million was spent on three multi-family dwellings and $1.8 million for two new commercial/industrial buildings. There were also three single-family dwellings built at the estimated cost of $1.3 million.

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“From what I have been told, a lot of the big projects were started in April, May and June,” Woytowich said. “From what I understand, most of the communities, not only in the North but even down south in Saskatchewan, have seen a decline this year in work. I think it’s translated into costs as well.”

With five more months left this year, however, Woytowich believes more building permits could be issued by 2020.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno