The City of Weyburn's Building department is anticipating a strong construction season this year. So far 11 permits have been issued for work worth about $1.6 million.

The biggest construction project so far is the medical clinic building in the downtown, which will cost $1.2 million.

Weyburn's Manager of Community Services and chief building inspector, Doug Mulhall, said that last year at the same time they had issued only seven permits, although the construction of Wal-Mart at a cost of $4.2 million brought up the total worth of construction to $4.6 million.

"We are hopeful for a good construction season, as there will also be a four-story 24-unit condo coming up in the city's downtown. Currently the discussion for construction of the condo and other buildings is going on with potential developers," he said. The condo is proposed to be built on the former location of the Elks Hall.

Mulhall said that on average, construction during the month has been slower than in other years, but he expects things to pick up soon.

He said that several building information packages for residential lots and properties have been handed out to people interested in putting up houses. He explained that usually half the permits are for new houses on new streets while the other half is for houses in older residential areas. "These involve old houses in already existing residential areas, which are knocked down and new ones built," he said.

City building inspector James Dionne said that some of the popular city sub-divisions where people want to build new houses are lots in the Silver Heights district in the northeast part of the city and Burnwey subdivision south of Highway 13.

"In Silver Heights the lots are selling for about $20,000 to $26,000 and interested buyers are active. In Burnwey the price has dropped to between $13,000 and $18,000 as most of the plots have been sold and only a few are remaining," said Dionne.

He said they also expect residents to take advantage of the Weyburn Builds Incentive Program, which is aimed at encouraging people to build new houses in already existing residential areas to promote urban renewal. The incentive involves a 75 per cent rebate on taxes for three years for every new building.

"There is also an incentive for major renovations and additions. There is a $50 rebate for every $1,000 spent on renovations or additions, up to a maximum of $20,000. We want the neighbourhoods to look beautiful which in turn will improve the value of the property," said the building inspector.