Red Deer building permits surge

RED DEER, ALTA. — Despite the economic challenges of COVID-19, Red Deer, Alta. reported strong building permit values for April.

According to the city, building permit values for April are more than double the values from April 2019 despite less permits issued. Year-to-date values are also up from last year. This April, 53 permits were issued compared to 76 last April. Total permit value last April was just over $7.7 million while it was $16.5 million this April.

In a press release, the city stated that infrastructure development is continuing during the pandemic. Notable permits in April include $11.6 million for construction of a Residual Management Facility at the Water Treatment Plant and $1.2 million to construct the Capstone Fountain Control Room.

The management facility is part of the final stage of a $90-million multi-year upgrade to the city’s water treatment infrastructure. The facility’s equipment will put byproducts of water treatment through further cleansing and the separated materials can then be sent to the landfill or recycled for other use.