By Clark Stork

Building permits positive in Melfort

Nov 17, 2017 | 12:41 PM

The City of Melfort is nearing the end of one of their busiest construction years in a decade.

Led by the development of a wellness centre adjacent to the Union Hospital and a 24-suite apartment building in the downtown core, the city’s development manager is expecting permits to top out at approximately $13 million in 2017.

Community Development Officer Brent Lutz told northeastNOW the centre development dates back seven years. He said the project is a huge bonus to healthcare in the city and region.

“We wanted to improve facilities for physicians, service for the people in the region and make sure we anchor the community with strong healthcare and attract physicians,” Lutz said.

The wellness centre clinic will house all 12 doctors all working in the city at various locations, they are expected to take patients at the site on Nov. 27. Lutz said it’s exciting to finally see the project come to fruition.

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“We’re certainly anxious to see the doors open after we’ve spent that long trying to find the right ways to make this happen,” Lutz said.

The grand opening is slated for Dec. 1.

Crews will work through the winter to complete a new downtown apartment complex on the former arena location on Stovel Avenue. Lutz said they’ve focused to increase their rental stock and have done so by 30 per cent over the last five years. He said this will increase the developers stock to 72 units in the city. More discussions are underway with the potential for another 24-suite complex.

“We are presently working with some other projects, those are all on the drawing board. We’re pleased that we can already see next year is going to be another positive year for construction,” he said.

The Monarch Place construction and other smaller single projects gives the city 40 new homes in 2017.

To date, the value of permits already surpassed last year which Lutz also said was a “strong year.” Overall, he said it’s one of their top three years since 2007.

clark.stork@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ClarkStork