Residential construction continues to pick up in Red Deer.
In the first three months of the year, 176 permits worth $11.7 million were issued, compared with 127 permits worth $8.6 million in the same quarter in 2016.
In commercial construction, 63 permits worth $17.6 million were issued from January through March, compared with 28 worth just under $7.1 million last year.
In 2016, there were 15 permits for industrial issued to the end of March. This year, not a single permit has been issued.
On a monthly basis, residential construction slowed a little over last year.
City of Red Deer issued 47 residential building permits worth $2.49 million last month, compared with 52 permits worth $2.99 million for the same month a year ago.
On the commercial construction side, 20 permits worth $5.5 million were issued last month. In March 2016, 15 permits worth $12 million were issued.
Overall, 239 permits worth $29.4 million have been issued through March. Last year, 184 permits worth $51.2 million had been issued.
Some of the significant projects in March includes $3.5 million worth of improvements to Great Chief Park to get it ready for the 2019 Canada Winter Games. A recreation facility addition, including a pavilion and garage, an artificial turf field and a skating oval are being built.