THUNDER BAY -- It was another big year for building in 2012.
The city says nearly $220 million worth of building permits were issued last year. That’s under the record-setting $230 million in 2011, but still shows a trend that developers want to invest in Thunder Bay.
Along with the new amalgamated court house, condominium developments and the new Marriott hotel were some of the larger starts in 2012.
“It was a great year,” city building division manager Des Stolz said.
Stolz expects another huge year in 2013 with private development at the marina, St. Joseph’s projects and expansion at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre expected.
“We’ve got a number of large projects coming down the pipe,” he said. “There’s no sign that it’s really going to tail off.”
Stolz said development is a combination of public and private projects. The larger developments go along with the roughly 200 homes that are built in the city each year.
Developers are also looking at new apartment buildings in the next year, something the city needs.
“It’s been quite awhile since we’ve built an apartment in Thunder Bay,” Stolz said.
The construction boom is straining skilled labour in the city. But it’s a far cry from ten years ago where construction value was around $60 million.
