The Town of Blackfalds saw its most active year in history for development and building in 2014.
Approximately 609 building permits totaling $124,195,472 were issued last year by the Town, representing a 17% increase in the number of issued permits and an increased dollar value of over 64% from 2013. The increase for total construction was $48,595,791 over the value recorded in 2013.
Residential housing permits totaled 443 for 2014, compared to the 282 issued in 2013. Some of the larger residential development permits issued were for 72 townhouses in the Aspen Lakes Subdivision and 72 eight-plex-condo units in the Valley Ridge Subdivision.
Notable commercial development permits included a gas bar and convenience store and a retail building on Womacks Road, south of the Abbey Centre.
The Valley Ridge Industrial Park saw the development of a five-unit lease bay with a value of $4.8 million as well as expansions of a number of other existing industrial businesses in the area.
In the institutional category, the Town issued a permit for a new public school, for which construction will begin in the future. Announced by the provincial government in 2013, the Wolf Creek School Division Kindergarten to Grade 6 school will house up to 500 students.
Mayor Melodie Stol said the availability and attractive pricing of land within the community coupled with the amenities in the Town such as the Abbey Centre along with the park and trails systems are contributing factors to the ongoing growth.
- Maetche