June showed a slowing of new home construction in Sylvan Lake with just eight starts compared to 16 the previous June. And overall, the new construction value for the first half of the year is off last year’s tally by 40 per cent.
Statistics released by the town last Thursday showed five permits issued for new homes in Ryders Ridge subdivision and three in Beacon Hill for total value of almost $1.85 million — about 80 per cent of the month’s total of $2,311,460. Construction value of the new homes ranged from $183,935 to $314,125. A manufactured home was also permitted on Parkland Drive.
Two permits were issued for commercial construction, one for a change of occupancy in the former Rexall building on 50th Street to a New to You store. The other was for a change in use to a restaurant for 4407 Lakeshore Drive which is beside More Moo. A new sign there indicates ‘patio and cold beer’ behind the King Donair location.
Other permits were issued for seven decks or extensions, six basement developments, five detached garages, three hot tubs, a shed and hot tub, a shed, a secondary suite and a roof renovation. Two demolition permits were issued — one for a manufactured home in the 4400 block of 48th Avenue and the other for an abandoned house and garage on 49th Street behind Beach Burgers.
Total value of permits issued in June 2012 was $6,271,160 about 63 per cent higher than last month.
Year-to-date tallies also indicate a substantial deficit over last year’s pace. So far this year, construction worth $20.7 million has been approved compared to $34.9 million last year.
The total number of new homes started this year is 56 compared to 48 last year. However there have only been 16 units in multi-family residential buildings begun in 2013 compared to 81 units last year.