The conversion of Walmart Canada’s south-side store into a Supercentre gave a $5-million boost to Red Deer’s building permits last month.
The city authorized $11.1 million worth of construction in February, with $7.3 million of this falling under the commercial category. In addition to the Walmart project, $1.3 million was for the development of a Swiss Chalet restaurant at No. 8, 5111 22nd St. — in the commercial centre between Sobeys and Taylor Drive.
Residential permits added another $3.1 million to the February total, with industrial projects contributing $740,000. The bulk of the industrial tally came from a permit for a $550,000 shop for Badger Daylighting at 6732 65th Ave.
Last February, the city issued building permits for $6.5 million worth of work: $5.5 million in the residential category, $880,000 for commercial projects and $50,000 for industrial construction and renovations.
So far this year, $22.1 million worth of work in Red Deer has been approved, up from $13.4 million during the first two months of 2010. But $12.6 million of this year’s total is for commercial projects, with the $8.5 million in residential construction behind last year’s figure of $11.1 million.
Work on the 130,000-square-foot Walmart in Southpointe Common includes a 30,000-square-foot addition. Conversion to a Supercentre means that the store will carry a full range of groceries and receive upgrades to departments like fashion, electronics, and health and beauty. The official opening of the expanded store is scheduled for March 25.