The first construction quarter of 2022 was slower than a year ago, based on City of Red Deer building permits.
There were 155 building permits of all kinds worth $36.6 million handed out up to the end of March this year, compared with 209 permits worth $19.6 million a year ago.
Month-over-month numbers are also down with 67 permits worth $9.5 million issued in March, compared with 97 permits worth $13.1 million in March 2021.
Residential building, which is considered a key economic indicator, is also down compared with a year ago.
There have been 103 residential permits worth just over $5 million issued through three months, compared with 130 worth $7.3 million in the first quarter of 2021. March numbers are also down from a year ago, with 50 permits worth $2.4 million issued last month, compared with 66 worth $4.2 million in March 2021.
While the value of all permitted work is nearly double last year, it is being driven by a big boost in public service construction, which is largely government-funded. Seven public service permits worth $17.7 million have been issued to the end of March, compared with 13 worth $1.9 million a year ago.
The value of commercial permits is up so far this year — $13.6 million, compared with $10 million — but the number of permits is down— 39 against 58 a year ago. In March, there were 15 permits worth $6.9 million, down from March 2021 when 23 permits worth $7.1 million were issued.
Industrial construction has been almost non-existent so far this year. Six permits worth $154,000 have been issued in three months. It was not much better a year ago when the numbers were eight permits and $265,820. Only a single permit was issued last month and in March 2021. They were worth $6,000 and $5,200 respectively.
Among the bigger projects is a commercial building with daycare and private school near 30th Avenue in southeast Red Deer. The permit issued was worth $2.8 million.
A permit for a project valued at $2.5 million was issued for interior and exterior renovations of the Central Alberta Co-op Home and Garden Centre on Riverside Drive. A $1.2 million permit was also issued for the construction of fitness space, offices and a daycare at Bower Place shopping mall.
