Calgary construction industry booming during pandemic
Home improvement and construction projects are proving to be popular in Calgary during the pandemic.
The first eight months of 2021 have seen $4.2 billion worth of construction in Calgary, nearly double the $2.2 billion seen over the same period a year earlier.
The number of building permits is also up 29 per cent, year-over-year, according to data released Monday.
"In 2020, we experienced a permit value decline," said Brenda Desjardins, director of Calgary Building Services.
"However, during the pandemic, Calgarians have been investing in home improvement projects, such as installing hot tubs, garages, swimming pools, retaining walls and carports, and we are seeing the numbers recover to pre-pandemic levels."
Residential improvement permits are up 33 per cent over the last two years and planning applications have surged, rising 200 per cent for patios and 60 per cent for multi-residential rowhouses.
"In response to the pandemic, we have supported Calgary’s construction industry by waiving fees, launching virtual inspections, and transforming our intake process," said Desjardins.
"So far this year, we’ve processed 10,700 planning applications online and made improvements to our timeline commitments."
Some major projects are also coming to fruition, with occupancy permits now issued for Rhapsody, a multi-residential building in the university district with a construction value of more than $72 million.
Additional occupancies, with construction values exceeding $25 million, include:
- The 9th Avenue Parkade;
- Union Square Phase 2;
- City Scape Plaza;
- Silverado Seniors Village;
- Westman Village Journey Club (2 & 3);
- Redstone Tower;
- Sunridge Mall Renovation, and;
- ABG Skyview Building.
Some notable industrial applications include:
- BMO Centre Expansion application ($317 million);
- Two Park Central Apartments ($92 million), and;
- VIVO Indoor Recreation Facility Expansion ($42 million).
Officials say construction values and building permits aren't representative of the overall market and economic conditions but they provide a benchmark for the state of the construction industry.
The Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program also encourages private developers to undertake downtown office conversions, office replacements, and new residential developments.
The first phase application period closed Sept. 15 with 13 applications received.
Building permit application values are available by ward, and community, on the city's website, along with data on building permit values.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.