Construction activity continues strong in township

Another strong month for building activity in May has statistics well above last year’s levels.

The township issued 43 building permits for construction valued at about $5.6 million last month, a recent report indicates. That generated just under $50,000 in permit fees.

In May 2014, 20 permits were issued for construction valued at about $1.6 million, generating $13,566 in fees.

So far in 2015, 137 permits have been issued for construction valued at just over $31 million, resulting in almost $180,000 in fees.

To the same point in 2014, 99 permits had been issued for construction valued at $5.7 million, resulting in just under $84,000 in fees.

“Our total (permits) for  this year has pretty much doubled where we were this time last year. So, as you can see, we’re busy,” said chief building official Patty Wright at the June 9 Mapleton council meeting.

Councillor Dennis Craven noted agricultural construction is driving the building boom in 2015. About $4 million worth of agricultural construction (22 permits) pushed year-to-date figures for the category to $10.2 million on 57 permits.

Four permits were issued for construction of single family dwellings worth a total of $1.3 million in May.

Year to date, 13 permits for single family homes worth just over $5 million have been issued.