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Building statistics lagging over last year’s tallies

New construction in Sylvan Lake continues at a slower pace than last year, down by over 41 per cent in value, according to figures released
6452sylvanlakeDemolition082213
GONE - An historic boarded up building on Lakeshore Drive emitted dust — and $100 in cash — as it was demolished Tuesday morning by a crew from Urban Dirtworks. The cash was discovered in a corner of the building as walls were pulled down. The building most recently housed Caribbean Flava restaurant but to some oldtimers was known as Sandpiper

New construction in Sylvan Lake continues at a slower pace than last year, down by over 41 per cent in value, according to figures released by the town last week.

Single family homes accounted for almost 87 per cent of the value of permits issued in July. Nine starts were approved — four in Ryders Ridge, four in Beacon Hill and one on Wildrose Drive. A manufactured home was permitted on Baywood Link in Lighthouse Pointe. They contributed $1,967,022.53 of the $2.35 million total for the month.

That brought the number of new single family home starts to 65 plus one manufactured home so far in 2013, up from 59 last year.

Construction value the homes ranged from $182,160 to $251,018.

The biggest change over last year is in multi-family units where just 16 have been permitted this year, down from 88 last year. However, not included in figures yet is a 73 unit apartment building which was conditionally approved in late May for Laebon Developments Ltd. at 11 Broadway Rise in Beacon Hill. Construction is now underway on that project.

Year-to-date figures show the value of permits is just over $23.1 million this year, down about $16.4 million from the 2012 seven-month total of $39.5 million.

Similarly the comparative total for July was down by about half in 2013 over 2012.

One permit was issued for commercial development for the new Happy Bumz Happy Mumz boutique and gift shop beside Joey’s Only Restaurant on Beju Industrial Drive. It opened Tuesday.

A demolition permit was issued for the former Caribbean Flava building just east of Subway on Lakeshore Drive. It’s had various names over the years but many remember it as The Centre.

A prefabricated classroom was approved for location at C. P. Blakely School.

Permits were also issued for construction of seven basement developments, six detached garages, four decks, a sunroom and a shed.

At the July 22 council meeting, Betty Osmond, the town’s chief administrative officer, reported the developers of Lakeway Landing announced the sale of the last residential lot and completion of 10 years of development in Sylvan Lake. “The company will cease Sylvan Lake operations in September 2013. Thank you Lakeway Landing for providing quality neighbourhood development and we look forward to future development opportunities.”