Construction outlook strong in Orillia

Author: Frank Matys

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Frank Matys

The value of residential building permits issued in Orillia is up considerably over last year. Large-scale projects in the works include Panoramic Point waterfront condominiums.

City officials and members of the construction industry are predicting an upswing in development amidst growing optimism.
At least some of the brightening mood is being driven by a flood of infrastructure funding aimed at giving local economies a lift in uncertain times.
“There is no doubt it is going to have an impact,” Mayor Ron Stevens said of the federal stimulus package. “These are the things that are causing a level of positiveness.”
Orillia benefited from a $4 million boost to its library project during the first round of an earlier federal/provincial fund created for communities of less than 100,000.
A newly announced fund that promises billions more for infrastructure works will continue to bolster local economies, Stevens said.
“It creates jobs, and that creates spending,” he added.
In addition to recently approved municipal works – including a $6 million extension of West Ridge Boulevard – the city is enjoying a strong start to the year on the housing front.
The value of building permits for the first three months of 2009 sat at $3.3 million, up from $2.8 million over the same period last year.
“Which tells me there are dollars out there,” Stevens added.
The return of larger-scale developments is coming, but will take time, Angelo Orsi said.
Orsi plans to build about 40 homes this year – roughly half the number erected in 2008.
However, he remains optimistic for the future.
“We have not seen any rebound as of yet, and believe we should see some bump once the auto sector issues get resolved,” he said.
Federal and provincial dollars earmarked for municipal infrastructure projects should help spur development, though “it will take awhile to feel the benefits, as it has to work its way through the system.
“I believe we should feel a solid rebound by the third quarter of this year,” he said.
Industry veteran Jim Storey reports a “slowing trend” at the moment, but is equally hopeful.
“I’m looking at 2010 being a very strong year,” he said. “This year might be a little quiet, but there is all the indication in the world that 2010 is gearing up to be a stronger year.”
Projects benefiting from the promised infrastructure dollars will take time to bear fruit, said Storey, president of Bradanick Construction Services.
“They are talking about putting in these different plans to help the economy and create employment, but most of that work will be 2010 before that gets off the ground,” he added.
Storey, who focuses mainly on commercial construction, noted that several large-scale projects are already on the horizon for Orillia.
“We have a university starting, we have some major road construction happening, there’s (the reconstruction) of Westmount Drive,” he said.
“I don’t see the future as bleak, I see it as prosperous,” he added. “It is just going to take some time to get there.”
Wes Brennan, a builder of high-end custom homes, has no shortage of work to keep his crew of 15 busy.
“We are all booked up for the year,” said Brennan. “We have got all kinds of work. We are always busy.”
Brennan, who has several houses on the go, said the current economic climate hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of his moneyed clients.
“The recession has not bothered them so much,” he said.
Reliable companies that offer a quality product “will have the work,” he added.
Brennan said a slowdown in the early 1990s amounted to no more than “a couple of days” without work.
“I’m sure I have enough work to keep me busy for the rest of the year,” he added.