It is easy at present to look around Saskatchewan and think the economic boom has everything moving forward smoothly.
There were more indicators of the positive growth again this Monday at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council.
Lonnie Kaal, Director of Finance with the City explained in general terms, every four years there is an update and revaluation of property assessment values across the Province. With the robust economy, all values have increased significantly. The residential values in Yorkton have increased more than the provincial average, while commercial values resemble provincial averages.
Excluding growth, full assessment increased by 100 per cent on the residential side in Yorkton, compared to 87 per cent provincially. As a result, generally a house valued at $100,000 in 2009 is now valued at $200,000.
Homeowners have to feel good about the equity in their homes climbing, even if that means taxes inch up as well.
Value is one indicator, but growth is also important.
Council also approved a Discretionary Use application which proposes a Planned Unit Development for a third apartment dwelling at 364 Northview Road and 44 and 54 Allanbrooke Drive. The proposed building would be three stories in height, consist of 29, two bedroom units and be constructed on the northeast corner of the existing properties.
Housing is an essential aspect of economic growth, and that includes rentals units for those working in a growing business sector.
Yorkton of course is not unique in the growth.
Travel to Regina, or Saskatoon, and you see new businesses, and housing developments springing up.
But such a trip will also show you that Saskatchewan is going to face a significant infrastructure crunch in the not so distant future.
An example is Highway 16. The Yellowhead is a vital northern east west connector across the Prairies.
It is so important we often hear suggestions it needs to be a twin highway from our city to Saskatoon.
But what is needed more immediately is a fixing of the asphalt which exists now. There are many miles where the highway bounces vehicles over potholes and blacktop heaves.
But a sign just west of Yorkton lists a recent highway project near the canola processors costing nearly $1 million per kilometre. The math to redo Highway 16, let alone twinning it, are massive for a province of only one million.
Drive a few side streets in Saskatoon, and you also realize while you can see new growth all over, there are deficiencies as your car pounds through hole after hole.
Growth of course is a positive across the province, but there is an equal need for a plan that deals with both short and long term deficits in our roads, streets, and other critical infrastructure such as bridges, schools and hospitals, a list which will cost hundreds of millions in the years ahead.
