As spring approaches with a new building season, lot sales are brisk at City Hall, already ahead of last year's record-setting pace as of the end of February.

City council was told as of the end of February, 14 lots had been sold, compared to nine a year ago. There were originally 19 lots sold, but quit claims were registered on five of the lots.

Most of the lots sold were in the new Silver Heights subdivision, on Slezak Crescent, Gordon Miles Place and Barber Crescent, as well as some lots on the South Hill on Ninth and Tenth Avenues.

As for building permits, there were nine permits issued as of the end of February worth a total of $1.8 million, with four dwelling units created worth $1.48 million. Three of the permits are for new residences worth a total of $1.3 million.

Last year, there 12 building permits issued by the end of February, worth $1.2 million, with four dwelling units created worth $1.05 million.

From the Facilities Committee, some cost estimates have started to come in to fix the heating problems at the Leisure Centre; the committee has asked for more information on some of the figures presented.

Part of the report to the committee said the in-slab heating system could be re-energized with leaks fixed for a cost of $7,500.

The existing roof-mounted heating units are recommended to be replaced with an engineered air gas-fired heating unit. The outside and exhaust ductwork will be modified as required, with an estimated cost of $150,000.

"We're talking about substantial improvements that need to be made," said Coun. Bill Rudachyk, adding the facilities manager was asked to check on the in-floor heating system first. The engineer was asked for clarification on some of the information, and will report back at the next committee meeting on April 2.

Meanwhile, with seating plans now received, the city will now proceed with an invitational tender for the seats and their installation in the Colosseum.

A review of the sale of beer in the stands at Red Wings games was belatedly carried out, and council allowed the sales to continue to the end of the season.

Initially, approval of beer sales was given for September and October of 2007 only, and council was going to then review the situation and see if it should continue to be available at Red Wings games.

"There have been very little problems, and most of the time you don't even know they're selling the beer in the stands," said Coun. Rudachyk.

"I haven't heard anything negative on it," added Coun. Rob Stephanson. "We put a time limit on it and nothing's happened. I think we should let it go to the end of the year, and we can address it with other items of concern with the Red Wings."

This was approved, with the situation to be discussed with the Red Wings organization prior to the start of the next season.

City council approved a request for banquet assistance from the Comp School for the 2008 Student Leadership Conference.

The Comp will be hosting the provincial student leadership conference this fall, on Sept. 17-19, with a total of 850 students and 250 advisors from around the province to converge on Weyburn, with the total number here to be over 1,200 including all the presenters, according to the Comp organizers.

The student delegates will be billeted in the community, while the advisors, presenters and displayers will book in to the city's hotels and motels.

The main banquet for the conference will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18 at the Weyburn Curling Rink, to be catered by the Young Fellows Club at a cost of $14.95 a plate. The organizers applied for and received a city assistance grant of $500 to go towards the banquet.

This was according to the city's policy, which supports any banquet for a provincial event being hosted in the city.