GTDI President Ken Hale provides input on how to foster growth in our region.

Collingwood is experiencing a building boom.

The municipality is coming off a record year for construction in 2016, with more than 863 building permits issued for total construction value of about $115 million.

“Last year’s numbers were just crazy,” said chief building official Bill Plewes.  “A really good year for us in construction value is somewhere around $55 million.”

Plewes said the previous record for construction value was $87 million. Through July, the total value for 2017 was about $44 million, roughly $8 million behind last year’s pace but Plewes said the month of August is expected to record month for the town, with a total of $38 million in construction.

“I don’t know if we’ll get $100 million but I bet we’re at $90 million,” Plewes said.

Coun. Bob Madigan is chair of the development and operations standing committee and said the growth of the community is exciting.

“It shows, and the numbers prove, that this is where people want to be,” he said.  “I really think that’s due to the four seasons lifestyle Collingwood has to offer. It’s really cool when they come to us and we get to see all of the positive growth within the area, but especially within Collingwood boundaries.”

Mayor Sandra Cooper said Collingwood is recognized as a growth node by the province. She said a number of the 402 units created in 2016 were townhouses.

“I am very pleased that there is an increase in residential mixed use development,” she said. “This will relieve demands.”

Cooper said with growth, it’s important the town continues to have its small town feel.

“With growth comes demands and needs for our residents,” she said. “We will continue to ensure our infrastructure needs meet the demand of growth.”

Ken Hale, president of the Georgian Triangle Development Institute (GTDI), said “the secret about our community is out and people are making the move.”

He said it’s important for municipalities to keep pace with growth and said the biggest concern of the development community is the length of the approval process.

“My recommendation to municipalities to foster further development is to invest in additional qualified staff and resources,” he said. “Municipalities employ hard working and dedicated professionals but there are only so many hours in a day.  As mentioned, the Georgian Bay area is one of the fastest growing regions in Canada. The demand for growth has put a demand on staff resources. The right investment in additional staff and staff resources could directly foster further development and ensure the interests of the municipality are kept.”

Collingwood chief administrative officer John Brown said the numbers show confidence in the community.

“They say that there is confidence in the local economy,” he said.

“I think they show a confidence in the town and people, want and are investing here in a significant way. I think they are strong endorsement of this town and where it’s going in the future and what it offers people.”

John Edwards is a reporter at The Connection, covering Collingwood and The Blue Mountains