Kimberley could be on track for another record-breaking construction year with second-quarter construction values approaching $30 million.
Mayor Don McCormick said 2023 was a record-breaking year in terms of construction, and Q2 data show similar results this year.
“When you have a record year, it’s hard to repeat that, but we seem to be on-pace right now,” said McCormick.
“We did about $54 million in building permits and added over 150 new dwellings last year. If we can do that again this year, it’s going to be huge in providing relief to the housing market.”
So far this year, almost 60 new residential units have been added to Kimberley.
McCormick credits active local developers for the community’s unprecedented growth.
“They are developers that aren’t just looking to swoop in to take advantage of a situation, they are invested in the community and keeping the best interest of the community in mind,” said McCormick.
This rapid growth is welcomed, as McCormick said there is a desperate need for more housing in Kimberley.
“This isn’t a spike in population growth or demand, it’s demand that has built up over a long period of time,” said McCormick.
“These record years we’ve been having are simply getting us back to where we need to be with respect to population growth and needing places for people to live.”
McCormick said Kimberley has a moderate but steady growth rate of about 1.5 per cent annually, which is about 130 new residents each year.
“New housing has not kept up with population growth,” said McCormick.
“Getting these multi-unit residential developments in place, where you get 30, 40 or 50 at a time is critical to providing some relief to people looking to live in Kimberley.”
The report comes after City Council approved a building permit for a 39-unit housing complex on Monday.
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