The City of Weyburn is on track to having another very busy construction year, back-to-back to an excellent year in 2006.

The number of both building permits and of lot sales are similar or above last year's level so far, holding promise of a very good year if the level of activity remains steady.

New home starts are above last year already, with seven new homes approved for construction as of the end of March out of 18 building permits issued so far worth just under $2 million. At this time a year ago, there were three new homes on the way, with a total of 27 homes built in 2006.

"We're more than double new home starts from last year, but there's no guarantee this is a trend that will continue through the year," said Doug Mulhall, director of Community Services for the city.

He added that residential lot sales are also strong so far this year, with 14 sold as of the end of March, and another five sold so far in April.

"When I see us keeping pace, and the level of inquiries is very good - it's keeping us hopping - then I have to think we're headed to a good construction year. We have a good start to the year so far," said Mulhall.

To address the concern the city may run out of serviced lots, city crews will begin soon with land levelling and installation of services to 36 new lots east of 18th Street and Washington Drive by Slezak Crescent, "and we want to make those available as soon as we can, which I would expect would be by the fall," said Mulhall. "We know we'll have to add more to the city's lot inventory again this year."

He noted it will cost the city about $1.5 million to have the services installed and land levelled for these new lots.

In the newly-opened subdivision located across from Assiniboia Park, which was just opened last October, about a dozen of these lots have already been sold, and some homes have already been started on.

"If the sales continue as they have, we may have to step things up," said Mulhall.

As far as commercial and industrial construction, he expects the two new condo units across from the City Centre Mall to come up for approval at the April 23 council meeting. As for the proposed Super 8 Motel, "I know we're still on their radar screen." Mulhall pointed out the tender bids they got last year were higher than they anticipated, so it's been put off to possibly later this year, if one of their crews is available to come to the city.

"We're getting lots of inquiries about commercial and industrial land, and we're continuing to promote the city and to try and have land available for their needs," said Mulhall.

In the meantime, the Weyburn Builds program is on again for 2007, which won't encourage the new home-building on new lots, but in the infill areas which the city has designated. The details and the map are available on the city's website.

Mulhall said there are two facets of this program that should encourage improvements and new home construction in the city's older areas: one, for new-home construction, there is a 75-per-cent tax rebate over three years, "which is pretty significant."

Secondly, for major renovations or additions which improve the exterior of a home, there is a grant available which will pay $50 per $1,000 of construction value, with a minimum of $5,000 for the project cost, and the city will pay to a maximum of $20,000 of construction cost.

The city has noted residents and those from out of town looking to build here are accessing the city's web site more and more.

Mulhall said if a resident is planning to do renovations, repairs or significant work of any kind, they should play it safe and call the city to see if a building permit is required, and what regulations the city has on a given project.

"It's the owner's responsibility to check with us and satisfy any regulations that may pertain to their project," he said.