Sutton - Norland Realty

Sask labour market report 2011

Kang Kim — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:54:00 GMT

Sask labour market report 2011

Please click the attached file

Sask economic news Feb 2012

Kang Kim — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:52:00 GMT

February 17, 2012

Estevan/Weyburn Region

Carnduff
Bartlett Safety Services, owned by Daniel and Pamela Bartlett, has opened. The new business offers Red Cross First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) classes as well as doing a mobile drug and alcohol testing service. (Carnduff Gazette Post, February 10, 2012)

Estevan
Spectra Credit Union has voted to expand through a merger or partnership to provide province wide services to its members. Spectra is the sixth largest credit union in the province with assets of $700 million and 10 branches in the southeast. The credit union currently employs 160 people. (Estevan Mercury, February 8, 2012)

Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute (SETI) is now open to students. The $14 million facility was recently completed. (Estevan Mercury, February 8, 2012)

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Canada has opened an office in the city. (Estevan Mercury, February 15, 2012)

Redvers
The Town of Redvers is preparing for the fourth annual Redvers & District Oil Showcase scheduled to take place May 10th and 11th, 2012. (Oxbow Herald, February 13, 2012)

Southeast Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan South East Enterprise Region (SSEER) is partnering with regional businesses in an effort to recruit workers to the area. SSEER is offering an opportunity for local businesses to attend the National Job Fair in Toronto, Ontario. Businesses can purchase their own booth at a reduced rate or partner with SSEER to create awareness of jobs available in Saskatchewan. (Estevan Mercury, February 15, 2012)

Weyburn
The El Rancho Restaurant is closing their doors in the city. (Weyburn Review, February 8, 2012)

Wawota
Moose Mountain Meats, a new meat processing plant and retail outlet, has opened. The business is the result of a co-operative effort by the community and surrounding district. (Kipling Citizen, February 10, 2012)

Moose Jaw Region

Moose Jaw
The local Thunder Creek Pork plant will be undergoing a $4 to $5 million dollar renovation which will switch its processing application. Instead of shutting down, the plant is going to reduce the days each week in which the plant operates, with renovations occurring on the off days. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, February 16, 2012)

The Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Moose Jaw, and Mayor Glenn Hagel are discussing a possible destination marketing fee. It is a fee placed on hotel room bills with the funds used to support the tourism industry which would in turn increase hotel customers. The Economic Development Commission has contracted to have a tourism consultant develop a proposal, let local hotels look at it and then facilitate a discussion about destination marketing fees. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, Thursday, February 16, 2012)

North Battleford Region

Battleford
Kramer Caterpillar will be constructing a new facility in Battleford. It will be a full parts and service facility of about 40,000 square feet. The decision to locate a new facility in Battleford was based on the reality that the current North Battleford location is over-utilized and short of space. The business services the ever growing oil and gas industry in the area. Construction should start this spring and be complete by fall of 2013. (News Optimist, February 15, 2012)

Lloydminster
Labix Store for second chance clothing held a grand opening. (Meridian Booster, January 20, 2012)

Maidstone
Curl Up and Dye Shop, owned by Desiree Blanchette, has opened at a new location. Blanchette recently purchased the former flower and gift shop and has incorporated a new flower shop, Petal Pushers, into the salon. (Regional Optimist, February 17, 2012)

North Battleford
Penningtons has closed at the Frontier Mall. (North Battleford Regional Office, February 8, 2012)

North Battleford’s population is now 13,888, up from 13,190 in 2006; and Battleford’s population is now 4,065, up from 3,685 in 2006, according to the first set of 2011 Statistics Canada census figures. (Daily News Online, February 9, 2012)

The City of North Battleford has hired a new Director of Finance to lead, manage and administer all financial services. Matthew Hartney and his wife will move to North Battleford from Ottawa. (City of North Battleford, February 10, 2012)

Tombi Uniforms & Scrubs has opened in downtown North Battleford. The business is owned by Ilse Moolman. (Regional Office, February 13, 2012)

The Battlefords and District Co-operative Aquatics Centre has a substantial completion date of late March with a likely opening before the end of May. Completion of the curling rink is slated for June while the field house completion is estimated to be September. Delays for the theatre will be pushed back to April 30. (News Optimist, January 25, 2012)

Glencoe Developments INC, a Lloydminster based developer, held a sod-turning event for a new 21 unit condo project. The Head Start on a Home program promotes affordable housing for first time home owners with a $5,000 grant from the city as a down payment. The buyer must have a household income of $65,000 to qualify. (News Optimist, January 25, 2012)

The Fund Raising Committee for the CUplex has now reached $9.3 million of the $10 million goal. The four facility complex is targeted to be completed by end of 2012. (Daily News Online, January 31, 2012)

Anthony Edgington, from Victoria, British Columbia has been named general manager of the new Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts. Mr. Edgington commenced work the beginning of February. (News Optimist, February 1, 2012)

Paradise Hill
Manestream Salon has opened in Paradise Hill. The owner is Joelle Pollock. (St Walburg & Area Gazette, February 8, 2012)

Unity
The town welcomed a new contractor. Mike Welter, a former Unity resident, decided to relocate from Toronto back to Unity and has established his own contracting business. (Press-Herald, February 13, 2012)

Wilkie
Dome Improvement and Flower You held a grand opening. (Press-Herald, February 13, 2012)

Prince Albert Region

Prince Albert
The Diefenbaker Bridge’s weight limit was increased to 47,000 kilograms (kg) on February 14th. The increase comes over five months after a 15,000 kg weight limit was instated on Diefenbaker Bridge traffic in a response to a crack found in the bridge. Monitoring of repairs is ongoing, if all goes well, the bridge’s weight restrictions will be restored to its original limit of 63,500 kg in the early weeks of March. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, February 14, 2012)

As of February 1st, Dwight Bergstrom is the new executive director for the Prince Albert Tourism and Marketing Bureau. Bergstrom replaces Debbie Honch who had been in the position for seven years. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, February 11 and 9, 2012)

The Petro-Canada on 6th Avenue East will soon become reserve land. Once it is converted it will become the fourth urban reserve in Prince Albert. Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) will be the administrator of the land. PBCN already has three other urban reserves within the city, Northern Lights Casino, the Petro-Canada on Second Avenue West, and the site of the PBCN offices across form Victoria Hospital. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, February 9, 2012)

Porcupine Plain
The Porcupine Plain Economic Development Committee and the local Small Business Loans Co-operative is offering a small, interest free loan to businesses to improve their storefronts. (Parkland Review, January 27, 2012)

Regina Region

Fort Qu’Appelle
The Hudson Bay Company recently announced that the Fields outlet in Fort Qu’Appelle will be closing. There is no indication at this time of the date of closure. (The Fort Qu’Appelle Times, February 7, 2012)

Darren Brooks of the Valley Grocer has announced the business will be closing its doors on February 29th. (The Fort Qu’Appelle Times, February 14, 2012)

Regina
A combined investment of over $800,000 by the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan will help the Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC) and the University of Regina (U of R) study innovative recovery methods for oil and gas production, as well as reclamation of associated by-products. The research will focus on three clean technology projects that could increase efficiency of oil and gas production, and reduce its environmental impact. With this funding, the U of R will purchase and install laboratory equipment to develop new membranes and filtration systems to decontaminate produced water, a by-product from oil and gas production. The PTRC will oversee two related projects. It will refurbish a separator unit and constructed field test trailer units to sample produced water in field locations for reclamation and re-use, potentially in agricultural irrigation or other industries. (Enterprise Saskatchewan News Release, January 27, 2012)

The City of Regina issued $37.9 million in building permits last month, which is less than half of the $95.1 million in permits issued in January 2011; however, the actual number of permits is up by 19 year to year. January 2012 saw about 6 permits for projects over $1 million, including $7.3 million to the City of Regina for new storage tanks on Pasqua Street North, two permits totaling $4.8 for Centre Square luxury condominium project on Broad Street, two permits totaling $2.2 million to Sky Harbour Developments for apartment buildings in Tutor Court. Other permits include Flynn Equipment Rentals for $1.2million for a new office building on Solomon Drive and Narland Properties for retail alterations at Victoria Square Mall East Victoria for $1.2 million. (Leader Post, February 3, 2012)

According to the Association of Regina Realtors, there were 249 sales reported during the month of January, up 14 per cent from 218 sales in January 2011. The average price in Regina area was $284,744, a new high for January and an increase of 10 per cent from $258,599 recorded in 2011. There were $70.9 million in sales reported in the Regina area, an increase of 26 per cent over the previous record of $56.4 million set in 2011. (Leader Post, February 3, 2012)

Regina’s City Hall is one step closer to getting a revised look, after a $5 million infrastructure upgrade recommendation was approved. In addition to fire sprinklers on the first floor, upgrades could involve hiring an additional security staff member, more security cameras on the first floor, and addition to the front of the building for visitor seating. (Leader Post, February 8, 2012)

Fujitsu Canada has acquired TMC, a business and information technology consulting firm based in Regina. TMC employs 70 professionals and offers services in the areas of project management, management consulting, business analysis, application development delegated management and service desks. It is expected that Fujitsu will give TMC preferred access to world class experts and products which will allow expansion of their business. Fujitsu Limited, the world’s third largest IT services provider, is the leading Japanese ICT company with more than 170,000 employees in more than 100 countries. (Leader Post, February 8, 2012)

Housing starts in the Regina area reached 277 units in January, more than double the 127 starts during the same period last year, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (Leader Post, February 9, 2012)

Plans are moving forward for a new school building in north central Regina. The pre-kindergarten to grade 8 school will be built on the former Herchmer Community School site. Plans for the school show an open-plan concept with large windows and skylights. (Leader Post, February 11, 2012)

Saskatoon Region

MLS realtor sales in Saskatoon were up 20 per cent in January compared to January 2011 numbers. A total of 310 units were sold while there were 528 residential listings in Saskatoon. Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors executive director said if the supply of product continues to remain consistent with last year, and if the anticipated increase in demand occurs, the city will remain in a sellers' market with buyers competing for purchases. (Star Phoenix, February 7, 2012)

In January, 14,717 job vacancies were posted to SaskJobs.ca, an increase of 44 per cent over January 2010, according to a Government of Saskatchewan news release. There were 931,372 visits to the site in January. More than 61 per cent of jobs posted last month were full-time positions with positions being posted in 316 communities in Saskatchewan. (Star Phoenix, February 8, 2012)

Michael Chubb will be planting seeds of entrepreneurial spirit among faculty and students of the College of Agriculture and Bio Resources and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, hoping some will grow thriving companies one day. Chubb, a local life sciences business veteran, has been named entrepreneur in-residence for 2012 by the University of Saskatchewan Industry Liaison Office, in conjunction with the two colleges. The entrepreneur-in residence program aims to create collaboration among businesses and the university, and help commercialize University of Saskatchewan researchers' know-how and technology. (Star Phoenix, February 8, 2012)

Development should remain strong in Saskatoon across all commercial real estate sectors in 2012, says a new real estate forecast by Colliers International. The president of Colliers McClocklin Real Estate Corp., said the vacancy in all asset classes will remain low in 2012, rental rates will be stable or even rise and development will continue in industrial, retail and office sectors. (Star Phoenix, February 9, 2012)

The growth of Saskatoon’s suburban bedroom communities is outpacing the city, underscoring the need for regional cooperation. The results of the 2011 census released confirm what many in Saskatoon already instinctively understand. Saskatoon and the surrounding region are the driving force behind the province turnaround. (Star Phoenix, February 9, 2012)

Saskatchewan's oilpatch continues to attract interest and investors, as the first sale of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights for 2012 generated $28.7 million in revenue for the province. That number also brought total land sale revenues for the 2011-12 fiscal year to $234.1 million. (Star Phoenix February 10, 2012)

New Businesses:
Damara Day Spa and Esthetics, owner Emerald Development Group. (Star Phoenix, February 4, 2012)
Modern Dames Boutique, owner Meagan Paul. (Saskatoon Sun, February 5, 2012)

Swift Current Region

Biggar
Biggar Diamond Lodge recently received a generous donation from Springwater Snow Plow Group which will assist in providing basic equipment for the new facility and enhance the quality of life opportunities for the residents in the new home design and model of care. (The Independent, February 13, 2012)

Eastend
Aiming to create a one-stop spa shop, Stephanie Morris recently purchased the Eastend Medical Clinic and amalgamated her hairdressing business and her mother’s gift store under one roof. Visitors to the shop can enjoy an eclectic collection of baby and children’s gift items, jewellery, purses, scarves and freshly roasted coffee. She also offers staff trained in aesthetics like hair dressing, nail art, raindrop and essential massage therapy. (The Shaunavon Standard, February 14, 2012)

Elrose
A new daycare center is being considered on the school grounds in Elrose. A proposal was presented at a recent School Board meeting discussing goals, facility plans, financial overview and regulations. (The Press Review, February 7, 2012)

Eston
The Prairie Centre Credit Union will be relocating with in the next year. They have purchased two lots on the west side of the 100 block of Main Street to build a new branch office. (The Press Review, February 7, 2012)

Kyle
Tony and Danny Hannouch, owners of the Villa on Main, are open for business. (The Kyle Times, February 2, 2012)

Maple Creek
A new milestone has been made in the progress towards the new integrated health care facility in the Southwest. The Cypress Health Region board has approved the schematic design. This includes a chapel, although the on-site laundry room remains an outstanding issue. (Maple Creek News, February 2, 2012)

Swift Current
Swift Current announced a 6.1 per cent increase in population in 2011. The population rose from 16,533 in 2006 to 17,535 in 2011. (www.swbooster.com, February 8, 2012)

Red Head and JD Ag Tech will join 20 other Saskatchewan businesses in Ireland for a job fair coming up in March. Their hope is to meet some of the labor market demand by offering 275 job opportunities to the people of Ireland. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, February 8, 2012)

The city has just released an additional 30 lots for development in Highland subdivision. In Swift Current, 2011 was the second highest year for building permits in the city’s history. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, February 9, 2012)

Bell Mobility is holding their grand opening in the Swift Current Mall. (www.swbooster.com, February 9, 2012)

Café Central located in the heart of downtown Swift Current, is the new bistro themed restaurant featuring coffee and espresso from JJ Bean Inc. The menu includes drinks, tasty appetizers and a good cup of coffee. Owner, John Neate, is a third generation coffee entrepreneur with a popular chain of ten stores originating in Vancouver. (The Southwest Booster Smart Edition, February 16, 2012)

Yorkton Region

Esterhazy
Boombata Homes of Esterhazy have completed the plans for a housing/condominium complex on Fifth Avenue between Babyak Street and St. Mary Street. It will consist of four 1,300 square foot homes on each corner with four 900 square foot and eleven 1,200 square foot condos on the sides. Each unit will have a garage and access to a landscaped courtyard in the centre of the complex. Boombata have already started work on their 12-plex unit, Deerwood Development. (The Miner-Journal, Esterhazy, February 13, 2012)

Glenavon
Adelard and Doreen Perras, owners of Perras Family Foods, celebrated 35 years in business in February. (The World-Spectator, Moosomin, February 13, 2012)

Grenfell
Commercial real estate is busy with several changes and one new business. Lorraine Gudmundson has sold her business Front Avenue Florals to Rhonda Kappell. Vicki Schnurr is leasing Rosie’s Restaurant and operating it as Vickie’s on 1. Tom Elliott is the new owner of The Water Shop, and Allan Wong and Louise Li took over Lygouriatis Family Restaurant. A new restaurant will soon be opened by Brian Ashfield. (The Grenfell Sun, February 6, 2012)

Kamsack
The Fields store will be closing by the fall of 2012 according to an announcement by the Hudson’s Bay Company. (Kamsack Times, February 16, 2012)(Leader Post, February 9, 2012)

The board of directors of the Yorkton Co-operative Association Ltd. announced a new grocery store will be built on the corner of Third Avenue and Queen Elizabeth Boulevard. Construction of the 10,800 square foot store will begin June 1, 2012. (Kamsack Times, February 16, 2012)

Melville
Melville’s Fields Store will be closing its doors. The Hudson Bay Company (HBC) plans to close all 141 stores operating under the Fields Banner. The HBC have stated they are closing all 141 Fields outlets across the country to focus on growing their other banner stores. There are Fields store in 21 locations in the province. (The Melville Advance, February 8, 2012; Leader Post, February 9, 2012)

Whitewood
The merger of Whitewood and Borderland Co-operatives memberships took place February 1, 2012, bringing the end to the 72 year existence of the Whitewood Co-operative. The store in Whitewood will remain open with no change in staff, only more programs and community support for its members. The new Borderland Co-operative, with stores in Whitewood, Moosomin, Rocanville and Maryfield, consists of 6,150 members, has $18.3 million in assets and employs approximately 180 people. (The Whitewood Herald, February 6, 2012)

Yarbo
The Yarbo Rooming House celebrated its grand opening recently, with a tour and refreshments. The old Yarbo Rink was renovated into a rooming house by owner Dean Bell and family. (The Miner-Journal, Esterhazy, February 13, 2012)

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan led the nation in the growth of building permit values last year, posting a 25 per cent increase over 2010, outpacing the 1.7 per cent national increase, according to Statistics Canada. Building permits totaled $2.6 billion in 2011, the highest on record in the province, beating the previous record of $2.2 billion in 2008. Saskatchewan also ranked first in annual growth rates of both residential and non-residential building permits. Non-residential building permits increased by 26.3 per cent in 2011, while residential permits were up by 24.5 per cent. (Leader Post, February 8, 2012)

Saskatchewan’s motor vehicle sales continued to climb at the close of 2011, with the latest reports from Statistics Canada showing sales in the province jumped by 7.3 per cent in 2011 compared with 2010. This was the second highest percentage increase in Canada. Compared month to month, Saskatchewan’s new vehicle sales were up 5.3 per cent between December 2011 and November 2011, coming in first among the provinces in percentage change. (Enterprise Saskatchewan News Release, February 14, 2012)

Saskatchewan new project 2011

Kang Kim — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:41:00 GMT

Attached Sask New projects in 2011 or later.

I hope you would get useful information.

Saskatchewan Top five exports

Kang Kim — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:42:00 GMT

Downtown class A office rent

Kang Kim — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:34:00 GMT

Sask News Aug 5, 2011

Kang Kim — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:15:00 GMT

August 5, 2011

Estevan/Weyburn Region

Estevan
Construction on the 44,000 square foot, $14 million Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute (SETI) remains on schedule. The substantial completion date is October 31, 2011, for the facility which is located in Glen Peterson Industrial Park. (Estevan Mercury, July 27, 2011; Pipeline News, August 2011)

The City of Estevan is set to surpass its record of $50.81 million in building permits set in 2010. Through the first six months of 2011, 87 permits with a combined value of $28.5 million were issued. (Estevan Mercury, July 27, 2011)

The official ribbon cutting was held for the Petterson Point condominiums on August 4, 2011. One bedroom units start at $169,000 and two bedroom units start at $196,000. (Estevan Mercury, July 27, 2011)

Stoughton
Kathleen O’Connor is the new owner of KO Subs n’ Ice Cream. (Grenfell Sun, July 25, 2011)

Weyburn
Bannerman Park Estates is a new adult condominium project to be built on the old Elgin School grounds. The four storey building will contain 22 – two bedroom homes. (Pipeline News, August 2011)

Southeast
The June 23 Crop Report indicated that only 44% of the 2011 crop in the southeast has been seeded. This will likely force many producers to seek alternate employment as a means to keep their family farms solvent. (Weyburn Review, June 22, 2011; Saskatchewan Government News Release, June 23, 2011)

The oil patch is recovering after area flooding caused delays in drilling and exploration industry. Instead of the regular six weeks of road bans, many municipalities in the south east experienced up to 14 weeks of road bans. Cenovus was hard hit with about 200 wells shut down due to flooding and road bans. Currently, there are about 50 drilling rigs in the oilfields that surround the Estevan, Stoughton, and Weyburn regions. (Black Gold, July 2011; Estevan Mercury, July 27, 2011)

Moose Jaw Region

Gravelbourg
Jenny Lam is now the new manager of the Snack Shack in Gravelbourg. She took over the business on April 28, 2011. (Gravelbourg Tribune, Monday, July 25, 2011)

North Battleford Region

Battleford
Pennydale Junction Restaurant is closed for renovations starting July 30, 2011. (Regional Optimist, July 29, 2011)

Cut Knife
SaskTel has expanded its 4G wireless network to the town of Cut Knife and the surrounding area, including highways 21 and 40. (Daily News Online, July 26, 2011)

The Wilbert Store, located 9 kilometers west of Cut Knife closed after many years of service. Joanne Scott took over the business along with her mother Gloria and Dan Panzier in 1983. The store was originally built in 1936. (Highway 40 Courier, July 27, 2011)

Lloydminster
Aaron’s recently opened in Lloydminster. (Meridian Booster, July 13, 2011)

Lakeland College has revamped and simplified its website for both the Lloydminster and Vermillion campus making it easier for prospective students to navigate through the site. The new site went live July 8, 2011. (Meridian Booster, July 18, 2011)

Saskatchewan and Alberta officially opened a new joint satellite agriculture office in Lloydminster. The Alberta specialist is available on Tuesdays and the Saskatchewan specialist on Thursdays. The office fills a gap left following the closure in 2004 of the Rural Service Centre at Lloydminster. (St. Walburg & Area Gazette, August 3, 2011)

Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake Home Hardware owner Don Marsh has delayed plans this year to construct a new 30,000 square foot facility on land purchased for that purpose. The business was denied a water permit by Saskatchewan Environment. Mr. Marsh indicates construction will not go ahead now until next year pending the City and the Rural Municipality resolving issues of annexation and water. (Northern Pride & Meadow Lake Progress, August 2, 2011)

North Battleford
The City issued 18 building permits last month for projects worth a total of $2,951,500. During June last year, the City issued 16 building permits for projects worth a total of $1,258,000. (Daily News Online, July 26, 2011)

Building Plans: Living Sky School Division will build a $3.3 Million, 13,650 square foot bus facility and maintenance shop on the east side of existing office as well as a new $1.2 Million, 4,071 square foot office to the west side of the existing facility. (City of North Battleford, July 25, 2011)

Northern Nursery owner Judy Dwinnel will be relocating her business to a new and larger location next spring. The new greenhouse will include a teahouse called “Dots”. (News Optimist, August 3, 2011)

Unity
North West Terminal Ltd. is moving forward with plans to install a water and heat-recover scrubber system (WHRS) on its dryer at Unity later this fall. The system is expected to reduce the company’s water consumption by 100,000 litres per year and also reduce any potential nuisance odours created during the drying process. Cost of the system is estimated to be $250,000. (Unity Herald, July 25, 2011)

The Unity Co-op held a grand re-opening of the new C-store. (Unity Herald, August 1, 2011)

Prince Albert Region

Emma Lake
Sunset Bay Restaurant, formerly known as the The Beach House Family Restaurant at Emma Lake, is being leased by Jaklin MacGregor, owner and manager of Persia Bistro in Prince Albert. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, July 25, 2011)

Fort a la Corne and Nipawin
The Shore Gold Diamond mine will need to clear more than 4,000 hectares or 40 square kilometres of forest to start construction on the plant. Quality wood will be sold to a milling plant. The rest of the wood which is usually waste will be sent to Nipawin Biomass Ethanol New Generation Co-operative. Agreements between the two parties need to be settled on the amount of wood that can be shipped, when it can be shipped, and what price to set. The Ethanol plant needs about 200,000 dried, metric tonnes of cellulosic fibre. (Parkland Review, July 15, 2011)

Hudson Bay
The Government of Saskatchewan announced that it would be investing an estimated $2.6 million in the Hudson Bay airport. The money is being provided to improve the runway, taxi-ways and aprons. The upgrade is expected to be completed by mid-September. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, August 4, 2011)

Nipawin
Ten businesses that have opened up in Nipawin in 2011 are:

Amerispec of Prince Albert (home inspections), All Good Plumbing and Heating, Ann’s Second Hand Store, BJ’s Yardscapes, Brian Ritthaler (carpentry, siding, renovations), Griffin Mechanical (mechanical landscaping), Laura Diachuk Registered Massage Therapy, Nipawin Emporium (specialty shop), SaBaNaH Cleaning Services and Spahh (personal aesthetic services). (The Nipawin Journal, July 27, 2011)

SaskTel is in the process of expanding its full-featured digital Max entertainment television service and high-speed internet service to Nipawin. The services are expected to be launched in Nipawin during October or November 2011. (The Nipawin Journal, July 27, 2011)

Prince Albert
On August 3, 2011, the official re-opening of the pulp mill was celebrated with the unveiling of its new sign, Prince Albert Pulp Incorporated. Paper Excellence, the company that bought the mill, which was shut down in 2006, is in the process of converting the facility to produce a different kind of pulp that will be used in products like food additives, shaving gel and rayon. There are currently 20 people working at the mill and 10 more expected to be hired by the end of the month. Once the conversion is complete the pulp mill expects to create 250 full time jobs. The opening of the mill is anticipated to be in late September or October 2012. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, August 4, 2011)

On July 26, 2011, RBC Royal Bank held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of their new branch in the Cornerstone Mall. The RBC Cornerstone branch manager is Shaun Hay. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, July 27, 2011)

As of July 20, 2011, Perry Trusty is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce. Trusty replaces former CEO Bergen Price, who resigned last month. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, July 23, 2011)

Tisdale
Wood Country Castle is celebrating the opening of its Tisdale location on August 4, 5 and 6, 2011. (The Parkland Review, July 29, 2011)

SaskTel Max is officially available in Tisdale. Tisdale is the 21^st community in Saskatchewan to receive the SaskTel Max service. (The Tisdale Recorder, August 3, 2011)

Gordon’s Repair Shop closed after 35 years of service to the community. The owners of the business were Gordon and Bernice Barnett. (The Tisdale Recorder, July 27, 2011)

Stitch This Upholstery is the new name of Knuff Upholstery recently purchased by Lisa and Duane Doerksen. The previous owners were Kathy and (late) Bill Knuff. (Parkland Review, July 15, 2011)

Regina Region

Regina
Regina Transit is celebrating 100 years of service. (Leader Post, July 26, 2011)

Residential real estate sales in the Regina area remained steady in July but were down after two record setting months, according to the Association of Regina Realtors. There were 330 sales during July in Regina, up five per cent from 2010. May and June were two exceptional months with over 400 sales taking place. (Leader Post, August 4, 2011)

Saskatoon Region

Saskatoon
Saskatoon resale home prices are expected to rise by seven per cent in the next 12 months, says the Conference Board of Canada's metropolitan resale index released July 27, 2011. Resale home prices in Saskatoon averaged $310,484 in June 2011. Sales were up 16 per cent year-over-year to 3,936 in June 2011 from 3,396 in June 2010. (Star Phoenix July 28, 2011)

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. is beginning to see the payoff in investing billions of dollars in expanding its production facilities. With global demand for food rising and worldwide supplies of potash tightening, the firm's CEO said the company has positioned itself to benefit from a growing need for its namesake nutrient. It is estimated that from now through 2015, PotashCorp product will account for half of all the new potash capacity expected to come on line around the world. (Star Phoenix July 29, 2011)

Home sales in Saskatoon rose by 13 per cent in July 2011, climbing to 403 from 356 in July 2010, according to the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors. (Star Phoenix August 3, 2011)

The Saskatchewan Abilities Council is set to receive funding to help dozens of people with varying disabilities find employment in Saskatoon. The federal government, through its opportunity fund for persons with disabilities, is giving more than $89,000 to the Council. (Star Phoenix August 5, 2011)

New Businesses:

Trim Rite Home Products, Owner Ray Houston (Star Phoenix July 23, 2011)
Sotano Hair Studio, Owners Cynthia Merced and Michelle Taylor (Star Phoenix July 23, 2011)
Duck Duck Goose Tapas Bar, Owner Todd Gronsdahl (Star Phoenix July 30, 2011)
Saboroso Brazilian Steakhouse (Star Phoenix July 30, 2011)
Rock Creek Tap and Grill, Owner Jim Beck (Star Phoenix July 30, 2011)

Swift Current Region

Gull Lake
Gull Lake will celebrate “100 Years of Community Pride” throughout Centennial Weekend August 5-7. (The Gull Lake Advance, August 3, 2011)

Kindersley
The Kindersley Airport received a much needed facelift, including the refacing of the runways and the access road to Highway 21. (The Clarion, July 20, 2011)

Leader
Vern and Joanne Scheider, former owners of the Leader IGA, thank their loyal customers over the past 36 years. The new owners, D.J. and Jenna Park, took over August 1, 2011. (The Leader News, August 3, 2011)

Shaunavon
The Canalta Group and the Town of Shaunavon have confirmed that a development agreement has been reached to develop a new Canalta Hotel. It is expected to cost approximately $8 million and will be on the southwest corner of Highway 37 and Third Avenue. Construction will begin in October 2011 with a scheduled opening of August 2012 and will employ up to 20 people. (The Shaunavon Standard, August 3, 2011)

Swift Current
The ground was broken on the new Home Inn and Suites which will be built north of the Living Sky Casino along Battleford Trail. The project is expected to take nine months to complete. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, July 23, 2011)

Work will begin on a new landfill for Swift Current. The new site will be located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the city. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, July 26, 2011)

The City held a public consolation on the new proposed integrated facility to be built around the new hospital. This project could include one Public and one Catholic school, and various City services like a community pool, field house, urban trail system, art gallery and public library. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, July 27, 2011)

The new Cypress Motors location will be opening August 8, 2011. The new home will be located on the South Service Road, beside the Pioneer Coop Agro Centre. (The Southwest Booster Smart Edition, July 28, 2011)

Crescent Point’s Swift Current office opened on January 1, 2011. The initial 5,000 square foot space will be doubling by November. The company has over 60 employees locally and hundreds more through various contractors, drilling rigs, service rigs and suppliers. (Pipeline News, August 2011)

Yorkton Region

Melville
Brian and Shannon Tressel have opened “Cozy Nest”, a private executive guesthouse, offering a rental alternative for Melville residents for special occasions, or visitors in the city. (The Melville Advance, August 3, 2011)

Wakaw
The Town of Wakaw held their Centennial Celebrations on July 29 – 31, 2011. (The Wakaw Recorder, July 27, 2011)

Yorkton
The 56^th Annual Threshermen’s Show and Senior’s Festival took place on July 30 and 31, 2011. (The News Review, Yorkton, July 21, 2011)

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan urban housing starts were up 33 per cent in June 2011 over June 2010, the highest percentage increase among the provinces. Single family dwellings were up 6 per cent while multiple units increased substantially, up 87 per cent. In the first six months of 2011, urban housing starts are up 38 per cent in Saskatchewan, the largest percentage rate improvement in Canada. (Enterprise Saskatchewan News Release, July 11, 2011)

Between April 2011 and May 2011, manufacturing sales were up by 8.6 per cent, the highest percentage increase among the provinces, well above the 0.8 per cent decline experienced on a national basis. On an annual basis, sales were up 16 per cent, the second highest improvement in the nation while nationally, sales were up only 4 per cent. Sales increases were contributed to a rise in sales in the chemical industry. (Enterprise Saskatchewan News Release, July 15, 2011)

Saskatchewan is leading the country in new motor vehicle sales, while a new Statistics Canada report shows that the rest of the country is experiencing a decline. Saskatchewan was the only province to see an increase from April 2011 to May 2011, up 1.7 per cent. Nationally, sales declined on average by 6.1 per cent. In May 2011, Saskatchewan’s new motor vehicle sales were up 11.8 per cent over May 2010, the highest percentage increase among the provinces and well above the 3.2 per cent decline recorded on a national basis. (Enterprise Saskatchewan News Release, July 18, 2011)

In May 2011, wholesale trade in Saskatchewan was up 26.4 per cent when compared to May 2010, the largest rise among the provinces. Trade increased by 7.9 per cent nationally over the same period. On a monthly basis, trade improved by 7.3 per cent, the second highest percentage in the nation, and well ahead of the 1.9 per cent recorded for the national average. (Enterprise Saskatchewan News Release, July 20, 2011)

Saskatchewan retail sales were up 7.6 per cent in May 2011, when compared with the previous year. That is almost double the national average of 4.0 per cent for the same period and just below the 7.8 per cent recorded by Alberta. (Enterprise Saskatchewan News Release, July 22, 2011)

SK news June 24, 2011

Kang Kim — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 20:54:00 GMT

June 24, 2011

Estevan/Weyburn Region

Estevan
Baba’s Bistro is now open serving specialty food such as perogies, ribs, cabbage rolls and borsch. DeeDee Chomyk is the owner. (Estevan Lifestyles, June 17, 2011; http://www.babas-bistro.com/id1.html)

Another work camp is looking to set up in the Rural Municipality of Estevan near the city. The camp would be capable of housing up to 148 people and filling the need for oilfield workers as well as the workers for the new clean coal project going on at SaskPower’s Boundary Dam power station. (Estevan Mercury, June 15, 2011)

The Estevan Business Excellence Award (EBEX) ceremony was held this year for the first time in fifteen years. Wilhelm Construction won Business of the Year while owner Nathan Wilhelm was named Entrepreneur of the Year; Spectra Credit Union was recognized as one of southeast Saskatchewan’s top corporate citizens with two awards, Best Community Involvement and Most Outstanding Service; Kelly Lafrentz, owner of Kelly Lafrentz Trucking and Border Tanks Rentals, was named Business Leader of the Year; Justin Marcotte, owner of Organic Farmer Boy, was named the Environmental Leader of the Year; and Trent’s Tire won the award for New Business Venture of the Year. Inducted into Estevan Business Hall of Fame were long time business owners, Nick and Verna Morsky, Ron Wanner and Walter Senchuk. (Estevan Mercury, June 22, 2011; Estevan Lifestyles, June 23, 2011)

Moose Jaw Region

Moose Jaw
As part of a Federation of Canadian Municipalities partnership with the Association of Ukrainian Cities, Moose Jaw’s Mayor Glenn Hagel is heading to Dnipropetrovsk, Oblast this weekend with Barry Gunther of South Central Enterprise Region, to discuss the Friendly City’s approach to economic development in conjunction with its surrounding economic region. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, June 10, 2011)

Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Moose Jaw War Memorial are two Moose Jaw projects among 11 provincially receiving recognition at the Architectural Heritage Society of Saskatchewan’s event. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, June 14, 2011)

This week, Don Howe, franchise owner of both Moose Jaw’s Tim Horton’s coffee shops, has renovated the Tim Horton’s store located at Diefenbaker Drive to include Cold Stone Creamery products. Ice cream cones, cakes, pies, cupcakes and sandwiches will all be available. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, June 18, 2011)

One stop gift shop, Vintage Vinyl & Hemp Emporium, is celebrating a grand opening in Moose Jaw. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, June 20, 2011)

With a cutting of the ribbon, Mayor Glenn Hagel enthusiastically welcomed the recently upgraded Moose Jaw Wastewater Treatment Plant to the city and its residents. According to Hagel, most of the $26 million in plant upgrades were funded by the City of Moose Jaw, although about $10 million came from federal and provincial sources. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, June 23, 2011)

Outlook
MidSask Enterprise Region in Outlook has re-located. Their office is still in Outlook but is now downtown on Saskatchewan Avenue West. A grand re-opening will be held later this summer. (Holly Vollmer, MidSask ER, June 2011)

A pipeline maintenance project in the MidSask Region has brought with it a huge increase in the local population. Workers with Enbridge Pipelines Inc. and Alberta based company, Ledcor, will be here over the summer to ensure the existing pipeline that runs through the area is properly maintained. Up to 200 pipeline workers will be in the region with many still looking for accommodations. (Holly Vollmer, MidSask ER, June 2011)

North Battleford Region

North Battleford
Innovation Credit Union has announced their new CEO. Daniel Johnson is relocating from Alberta and will be based in Swift Current. (Regional Optimist, June 17, 2011)

A new walk-in clinic has opened at the Frontier Mall in conjunction with CBI Physical Rehabilitation Centre. CBI Health Centre opened in June for a four-month pilot period to operate as a walk-in clinic from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. During regular working hours, the facility will provide physiotherapy services. Seven local physicians have signed on to provide the after hours service to alleviate some of the pressure from the emergency room at the hospital. (Regional Optimist, June 24, 2011)

SportChek has opened in the Frontier Mall in the Battlefords. The grand opening event runs until the end of June. (Regional Optimist, June 24, 2011)

Ultra Print Services is expanding and hope to have the renovations completed by the end of June. The business purchased the former JEM Home Improvement Building last year and will locate their management, graphic design and customer service personnel to the new location which consists of 12 of their 22 employees. The current facility will then house only the press, pre-press and bindery personnel, and the new state-of-the-art press. (Regional Optimist, June 24, 2011)

Prince Albert Region

Prince Albert
The new Co-operative opened its doors to a large crowd. After a long five-year process the Prince Albert Co-operative and Marketplace closed the downtown location and reopened in the new Cornerstone location, instantly resulting in overflowed parking lots and long cashier line ups. A grand opening for the new Co-op has officially kicked off. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, June 11, 2011 and June 18, 2011)

Construction on the east side of Prince Albert is continuing to transform what once was an empty field into an array of banks, restaurants and grocery stores. On the south side, the new Prince Albert Co-operative food store, which moved from its downtown core, recently opened. Restaurants including Original Joes and Fat Burger have also been announced for the Cornerstone area and a Michaels craft store is in the works. (The Saskatoon Star Phoenix, June 14, 2011)

A search has begun for the next CEO of the Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce as Bergen Price announced his resignation recently. He will leave his position at the chamber at the end of July. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, June 14, 2011)

North Central Enterprise Region, in partnership with the City of Prince Albert and Enterprise Saskatchewan, would like to announce a new initiative to attract and retain people and investment to the region. Rainmaker Global Business Development, a company specializing in leading edge economic development and direct investment services, has been selected to guide the implementation of a lead management and outcall program. It is expected that this initiative will lead to new foreign contacts, potential investors and project partners within the City of Prince Albert and surrounding region. (News Release June13, 2011; Prince Albert Daily Herald, June 17, 2011)

The Saskatchewan Rivers School Division is getting underway on a new project. They have the tender out for a Support Services Centre, a new facility that will house their accounting, human resources, purchasing and technical services departments. The new Support Services Centre is expected to take anywhere from one year to 15 months to build and cost approximately $2.2 million. (www.panow.com, June 17, 2011)

The pulp mill hopes to create business relations with local companies. Between 200 and 250 business owners and representatives participated in an open house geared to doing business with the Prince Albert pulp mill. The construction for the conversion of the pulp mill will involve many of the businesses. The pulp mill welcomed the vendors and businesses and notified them of the beginning construction phases. The open house also provided the mill owners with information on what skill sets businesses have to offer. The target for opening the mill is August 31, 2012. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, June 22, 2011)

Representatives of Shore Gold and Nipawin Biomass Ethanol New Generation Co-operative signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), paving the way for future co-operation between the groups. Under the agreement, Shore Gold will provide waste timber from its mining activities to Nipawin Biomass, which will process and convert the timber to cellulose ethanol at its proposed green fuel facility. Shore Gold is attempting to obtain environmental approval and necessary permits to develop Saskatchewan’s first diamond mine at a site in the Fort a la Corne Forest, about 60 kilometres east of Prince Albert. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, June 22, 2011)

Regina Region

Regina
Kim Simon of 22Fresh was the winner of the Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (SYPE) Volta Award at the SYPE Silver Spades Awards Gala in June. 22Fresh is known for their unique baseball pants and lifestyle apparel. (Enterprise Saskatchewan News Release, June 13, 2011)

Housing starts were up by nearly 40 per cent in Regina in May, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. There were 116 housing starts in Regina and district, which was up from 83 in May 2010. (Leader Post, June 9, 2011)

Sakundiak Equipment, a grain auger manufacturer, announced the completion of a $12 million expansion at its plant north of Regina. The expansion will accommodate the production of the Swing-Max Pro, the company’s new remote-controlled extending swing auger, which will be launched at the Western Canada Farm Progress Show. Since April, Sakundiak has added 15 employees to its staff of over 100 which is up 30 from two years ago. Also included in the expansion is a new automated powder painting system, which is used to paint grain augers. (Leader Post, June 9, 2011)

Canadian Pacific (CP) announced the Global Transportation Hub will be the future site of the CP freight yards. Construction work on the 300 acre site on the CP railway mainline is scheduled to finish by late 2012. The existing terminal covers only 17 acres. About 100 construction jobs are to be created by this $50 million project. The new terminal will be able to handle about 250,000 container loadings per year; compared with 45, at the present facility. (Leader Post, June 11, 2011)

Kekuli Bay Cabinetry recently opened on Broad Street. (Leader Post, June 11, 2011)

Regina will host approximately 10,000 athletes, personnel and fans during the 2014 North American Indigenous Games. Most of the $10.35 million budget for the games is provided by the Province of Saskatchewan, the City of Regina and Sport Canada. The event is expected to generate upward of $30 million in economic spin-offs for the city, in service and tourism related industries. (Labour Market Bulletin, June 2011)

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum Conference will be held in the City of Regina in June 2012. The event will attract 500 apprenticeship stakeholders from across the country who will discuss major issues affecting trades. High on the agenda is the imminent shortage of skilled workers over the next decade. (Labour Market Bulletin, June 2011)

Regina Marine celebrated their grand re-opening. The new 9,600 square foot facility boasts both a 6,000 square foot show room and a 3,600 square foot service area. Regina Marine is located just off the TransCanada highway, east of Regina. (Leader Post, June 20, 2011)

The Source, located in the Cornwall Centre, celebrated a grand opening. (Leader Post, June 23, 2011)

Saskatoon Region

Saskatoon's Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. (GWMG) will be starting work on a mine shaft at its Steenkampskraal rare earth project in South Africa. The company has chosen East Rand Engineering Services based in South Africa to carry out the project, which is expected to be complete by mid-November. (Star Phoenix, June 10, 2011)

The addition of rental units to the Saskatoon housing market has led to an increase in the region's vacancy rate. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) the average apartment vacancy rate in the city rose to 3.4 per cent this April from 2.1 per cent in April 2010. This, despite the sustained addition of migrants to the city the past year, indicates the effect of new units on the market, according to CMHC. (Star Phoenix,June 10, 2011)

Employment jumped upward in May, with Saskatchewan posting the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Data released by Statistics Canada indicated there were 535,900 people working in Saskatchewan in May, up 2,400 from May 2010. Employment was also up by a seasonally adjusted 2,500 jobs in May 2011 compared to April 2011. (Star Phoenix, June 11, 2011)

Construction will begin on the $5 million Station 20 West project in Saskatoon. Station 20 West, which will be located at 20th Street West and Avenue L, is slated to become home to a co-operative grocery store and a number of tenants including a University of Saskatchewan outreach centre, a Saskatoon Health Region mothers' centre and family support program, CHEP Good Food Inc. and Quint Development Corporation. (Star Phoenix, June 15, 2011)

Kindrachuk Agrey Architecture has announced plans to design its own new office building, a new, five storey structure on Main Street East immediately adjacent to the trendy Broadway Avenue. (Star Phoenix, June 21, 2011)

New Businesses:
Clean Smart Shoe and Bag Detailing Ltd., owner Jae Kwon. (Star Phoenix, June 11, 2011)
Ric & Red’s Tire & Auto, owner Ric Guenther and Russ (Red) Malach. (Star Phoenix, June 11, 2011)
Guys & Dawls of Hollywood, owner Janelle Balaski. (Star Phoenix, June 11, 2011)
Eastview Bakery-Bistro, owners Eria Campbell and Amanda Brodie. (Star Phoenix, June 18, 2011)
DigiTile, owners Jamie Swidzinski, Toby Jaeger and Jeff Placsko. (Star Phoenix, June 18, 2011)
Pyroboyz, owner Bill Goonbridge. (Star Phoenix, June 18, 2011)

Swift Current Region

Gull Lake
Viterra Inc. is pleased to announce the expansion of the Viterra Gull Lake terminal, providing a significant increase to grain handling capacity. Viterra Gull Lake previously offered a 56 rail car facility located on the Canadian Pacific rail line, which has been expanded to 112 car spots to accommodate heavy production in the southwestern Saskatchewan area. Terminal storage capacity has also been increased by 37 percent. (The Shaunavon Standard, June 21, 2011)

Maple Creek
Nekaneet First Nation and Cypress Park are currently in order to receive 3G service. The installation project will begin within the next month. (Maple Creek News, June 9, 2011)

Shaunavon
The plans are being finalized for the grand opening of the awaited Crescent Point Wickenheiser Centre. The celebration is scheduled for July 16th. (The Southwest Booster, June 16, 2011)

Cenovus Energy unveiled plans for an extensive development program that will pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the southwest economy. The Calgary based company plans on maintaining a steady and strong development pace over the next four to five years in the Lower Shaunavon play. Currently Cenovus have 40 horizontal wells and will be drilling another 60 this year. Cenovus also plans to build water disposal facilities and will construct six satellite stations this year. Construction of a main batter site is also set to begin this year and will be completed in 2012. Cenovus will also significantly increase the number of staff working out of the Shaunavon field offices. At the moment there are six employees working out of the community and that number could grow to between 15 and 20 people in the near future. (The Shaunavon Standard, June 21, 2011)

Swift Current
For the month of May, there were 33 building permits issued totaling more than $2.4 million. (City of Swift Current, May, 2011)

Beachcomber Hot Tubs and Wheatland Machine Shop is holding their grand opening for the whole month of June. (The Southwest Booster, June 9, 2011)

Village Coffee Tyme will be closing June 30, 2011. (The Southwest Booster, June 9, 2011)

Market Square will open downtown Swift Current. The Swift Current Market Square will provide another reason for residents of Swift Current and surrounding area to visit downtown. (The Southwest Booster, June 23, 2011)

Twenty-four senior housing units being built next to the existing Prairie Pioneers Independent Housing development will enable more seniors to remain in the community, thanks to affordable rent made possible by a three-way partnership between federal and provincial governments and the City of Swift Current. (The Southwest Booster, June 23, 2011)

Yorkton Region

Grenfell
Ron and Eunice Wolf have closed the doors to Memories Plus, after forty years in business. (The Grenfell Sun, April 4, 2011)

Muenster
The Saskatchewan Stitches Conference took place at St. Peter’s College. Participants at the conference learned skills in many different tactile arts. The conference will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary in 2012. (Humboldt Journal, June 8, 2011)

Saskatchewan

According to Statistics Canada, manufacturing sales slumped in Saskatchewan and most parts of Canada over a one month period, according to a report released Wednesday by Statistics Canada. Sales were down by 5.3 per cent in Saskatchewan in April compared with March, but sales were up in the province by 3.9 per cent in April compared with April of 2010. Across Canada, manufacturing sales were down by 1.3 per cent in the March to April comparison but up by 6.5 per cent in April compared to April of last year. (Leader Post, June 17, 2011)

Statistics Canada reported that the province’s retail sales increased by seven per cent in April 2011 over April 2010, the second highest percentage increase among the provinces, almost double the 3.6 per cent recorded on a national basis. (Enterprise Saskatchewan News Release, June 21, 2011)

SK economic news June 10, 2011

Kang Kim — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:48:00 GMT

Home|News|Saskatchewan Economic News |June 10, 2011

June 10, 2011

Estevan/Weyburn Region

Alameda
Flying E Medical, a company specializing in on site medical attention, has expanded from five employees to 15 in their first year. Owner, Carrie Englot, is in the process of obtaining emergency medical responder (EMR) training and the primary care paramedic (PCP) course. The company has six mobile treatment centres and pickups with fibreglass shell on with two shower units for chemical treatment. (Pipeline News, June 2011)

Arcola
T-45 Bakken Salt Water Disposal Facility has been acquired by CCS Midstream Services of Calgary, Alberta. Plans for future expansion are in the works. (Pipeline News, June 2011)

Frobisher
Brothers Devon and Nathan Brandon are the owners of Prairie Gold Pumpjack Service, an oilfield service business recently started. (Pipeline News, June 2011)

Midale
Come On Inn & Suites held a grand opening. The $1.4 million dollar facility consists of 18 rooms geared towards the oil patch traffic. The future expansion plans for the inn are a lounge and another 20 rooms. (Pipeline News, June 2011)

Oxbow
Ken Pedlar, former editor and owner of the Oxbow Herald weekly newspaper, has retired after 37 years with the paper. Owner of the paper is Transcontinental in Saskatoon. (Oxbow Herald, May 30, 2011)

Redvers
Farmers and business people from the area have formed the Man-Sask Railway (MSRR), a shortline railway company, to look into the feasibility of buying the Canadian Pacific railway line extending from Redvers to Schweitzer, Manitoba. (Oxbow Herald, May 30, 2011)

Weyburn
Oilman of the Year at the Weyburn 14th annual Oil and Gas Show was Scott Saxberg, president and CEO of Crescent Point Energy. Brent Dunnigan, CEO of Epping Energy Ltd. in Alameda, and Dave Bergum, founder of TS&M Supply in Weyburn, were the recipients of the South East Oilmen of the Year Award. The awards were presented at the recent 2011 Weyburn Oil Show. (Oxbow Herald, June 6, 2011; Estevan Mercury, June 8, 2011; Weyburn Review, June 8, 2011)

Industrial Electric/Comtech held a grand opening for the expansion and renovation of their facility. The Weyburn company employs 40 people. (Weyburn Review, June 8, 2011)

Moose Jaw Region

Central Butte
The community of Central Butte will soon be home to a 100 foot tall wind turbine that will help provide power to the local rink. SaskPower has selected four Saskatchewan communities, Central Butte, Eatonia, Shanuavon and Strasburg, to test the viability of using wind turbines to partially power community owned ice rinks. The 50 kilowatt wind turbine will generate between $4,500 and $10,000 a year worth of power, depending on the wind resources at the site. (Holly Vollmer, MidSask Enterprise Region, June 2011)

Elbow
A business in Elbow is now the owner and operator of the Elbow Harbour Marina in Elbow. Cafferata Enterprises Ltd. has leased the marina from the provincial government since 1986 and has now officially purchased it. The plans are to refurbish the marina over the next five years, which includes replacing the main dock sections, finger piers and ramp floats. (Holly Vollmer, MidSask Enterprise Region, June 2011; The Outlook, June 2, 2011)

Moose Jaw
Tuesday was the first official day of operation for owners Tim and Tyco Huska’s new restaurant, Kergano’s. Tyco, Tim’s son, stated Kergano’s is based on his family’s background in Ukrainian cuisine, but goes far beyond one genre and features dishes influenced from many different cultures, from America to Spain. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, May 24, 2011)

The Parkview Funeral Chapel in Moose Jaw celebrated their 100th anniversary and held an open house. Tours of the facility were offered and displays were set up showing the history of the business. (The Moose Jaw Times Herald, June 2, 2011)

Ogema
The Ogema Second Hand Store celebrated its second anniversary recently. Since the store opened in 2009 it has brought in just under $42,000, which has been put to good use within the community. The Ogema Boiler fund received $19,000 and other projects such as the play ground equipment and the swimming pool are among projects that have benefited from the funds raised by this store. (The Star, June 9, 2011)

Outlook
A long established grocery store in Outlook has undergone major renovations. A.G.Foods, in Outlook since 1984, has installed all new freezers, new tills are coming and the entire store has been completely reorganized. According to owner, Royce Taylor, there is also a larger of selection of grocery items available for their customers. (Holly Vollmer, MidSask Enterprise Region, June 2011)

Whitecap Dakota First Nation
Construction is wrapping up on the new health centre on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. Health care staff are moving into the new centre over the next couple weeks. (Holly Vollmer, MidSask Enterprise Region, June 2011)

North Battleford Region

Lloydminster
Cinnamon Twist, Hair, Tanning, & Esthetics, are celebrating their first anniversary at a new location. (Lloydminster Meridian Booster, May 27, 2011)

Meadow Lake
The Prairie North Health region announced over $23 million to increase employment and new investments. Extra funding is expected to create 33 full time positions in the region, while also delivering investment dollars to northwest healthcare facilities. (Northern Pride, May 31, 2011)

RD Gravel & Logging is under new management. (Northern Pride, May 31 2011)

Jonny’s Septic Service, a family owned and operated business, is new to Meadow Lake. (Northern Pride, May 31 2011)

Mervin
The Rural Municipality of Mervin is going to celebrate the grand opening of their new Municipal Shop. (St Walburg & Area Gazette, June 8, 2011)

North Battleford
Building permits were down in April compared to last year. There were 18 issued for $2,828,000, which is down from 25 issued for the value of $14,185,500 in April 2010. (News Optimist, June 1, 2011)

City council has given its green light to submitting an application for funding under the Main Street Saskatchewan Program. The program helps communities to develop public-private initiatives to revitalize historic commercial areas. (News-Optimist, June 1, 2011)

City Manager, Jim Toye, was elected president of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators for the coming year. (City of North Battleford, May 31, 2011)

Phase 4, a hair salon, held their grand opening in a new location. (Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, June 6, 2011)

The Great Canadian Oil Change, owned by Trent Jordan held its grand opening. (Battlefords Regional Optimist, June 3, 2011)

The grand opening of the new Yellowhead Power Station in North Battleford will be held in June. (Chamber of Commerce, June 6, 2011)

Sports Check is holding its grand opening. (Battlefords Regional Optimist, June 10, 2011)

Wild Child Family Fun Centre will be closing permanently. (Battlefords Regional Optimist, June 10, 2011)

Realty Executives is holding a grand opening in their new office in North Battleford in June. (Battlefords Regional Optimist, June 10, 2011)

Unity
The town of Unity, in partnership with Unity and District Chamber of Commerce, West Central Tourism Region and Tourism Saskatchewan is unveiling it’s 2011 opportUNITY campaign in June. The logo relates to the many opportunities the Town of Unity has to offer from business to tourism to retirement. The partnership will occur in conjunction with the exploresaskatchewan.com campaign. (The Unity Herald, May 30, 2011)

Wilkie
An official ribbon cutting ceremony was held by the Wilkie Independent Living Services Inc. for the New Group Home. (The Wilkie Press, June 6, 2011)

Prince Albert Region

Prince Albert
The Prince Albert Co-operative Association grocery store has closed its doors on the Central Avenue location and re-opened in their new location in the Cornerstone Mall. A grand opening took place. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, June 6, 2011)

LBR Price Breakers, a unique one of a kind store, is celebrating its grand opening. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, June 1, 2011)

Blockbuster Canada video store in Prince Albert will not be closing its doors, unlike the 146 stores across Canada that are closing. (Prince Albert Daily Herald, May 30, 2011).

Tisdale
Cornerstone Credit Union officially opened its doors to the public in May and held its grand opening. The new addition of 8,000 square feet and the renovation on the original credit union building cost $4.5 million. Cindy Crowe is manager of the Tisdale Cornerstone Credit Union. (Tisdale Recorder, June 1, 2011)

Regina Region

Regina
Minneapolis based retailer, Target, plans to convert the Zellers store in Regina’s Northgate Mall into a Target Store within the next few years. Target plans to open stores in 105 Canadian locations in all 10 provinces. (Leader Post, May 27, 2011)

Construction on Canterbury Common is underway. Canterbury Common is a 16 unit apartment style condominium complex located on Broad Street. (Leader Post, May 27, 2011)

Blockbuster Canada announced that Regina’s four Blockbuster locations will not be affected by the massive closures occurring across the country next month. (Leader Post, May 28, 2011)

The revitalization of 53 acres in the heart of Regina is closer to becoming a reality after city council voted on Monday to support the first steps involved in the initiative. The plan includes the redevelopment of 33 acres south of Dewdney Avenue, currently used for the Canadian Pacific rail yards, and 20 acres currently occupied by Mosaic Stadium being developed into residential and other properties. The development of the new entertainment facility could begin as early as next year with the building of commercial property around it starting in 2013. The facility would be completed by 2015, followed by construction of housing on the existing stadium site. (Leader Post, May 31, 2011)

The Novia Café, Regina’s oldest restaurant, will be closing in June. There will be no layoffs as a result of the restaurant’s closing; staff will be moving to the Mercury Café, which is located in the Cathedral area and operated by the same owner as the Novia Café. (Leader Post, June 2, 2011)

The Regina Airport Authority has started a $16 million program to rebuild its two main runways. Work has begun and is scheduled to be finished by fall. When completed, the rebuilding project will give the runways another 15 years of life. Graham Construction has been contracted to do the work. (Leader Post, June 3, 2011)

The Ukrainian Co-operative, located on Winnipeg Street, is celebrating their 75th Anniversary. (Leader Post, June 6, 2011)

Sprossil Industries was the winner of the Progress 2 Capital Award for 2011. Eric and Rachel Penner de Waal have created Sprossil Industries to provide simple, easy-to-use building materials that save energy such as the Smart Stud, a hybrid framing member designed to replace conventional 2 x 6 studs, making a home 10 percent more energy efficient. The Smart Stud will reduce costs for builders by utilizing conventional framing methods that reduce training for workers, as well as by allowing electricians to run wire without drilling holes. (Leader Post, June 8, 2011)

The Dynasty Gourmet Asian Buffet, located in the Wingate Hotel, is now open for business. (Leader Post, June 8, 2011)

Saskatoon Region

Minneapolis based retailer Target confirmed plans to convert the Zellers in Saskatoon's Circle Mall into one of its own stores. (Star Phoenix, May 26, 2011)

The Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE) has named the Saskatoon Funeral Home this year's winner of the Family Enterprise of the Year (FEYA) achievement award. The announcement was made in front of more than 180 guests during a gala event at the Terminal City Club in Vancouver. (Star Phoenix, June 1, 2011)

Home buyers in Saskatoon and area had more houses to choose from in May compared to the same month in 2010, with more houses being sold. In May 2011, 423 homes were sold in Saskatoon compared to 351 homes in May 2010, according to a news release issued by Saskatoon Region and Association of Realtors. That's a 21 per cent increase. (Star Phoenix, June 2, 2011)

The value of building permits in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan fell in April, according to a Statistics Canada report. In its monthly building permits report, the federal agency wrote the value of permits in the Saskatoon region fell by 3.3 per cent to $83.8 million in April from $86.7 million in April 2010. Between March and April, the value of building permits in the region rose by 26 per cent from $66.5 million in the third month of the year. Province wide, the value of building permits in Saskatchewan fell by 2.3 per cent between April 2010 and April 2011, dropping to $186.6 million from $190.9 million. Month to month, building permit values in the province fell 1.3 per cent from $189.1 million. (Star Phoenix, June 7, 2011)

Multiple family units are up, single family homes are stable or down and, overall, far more residences have been built so far in 2011 than in 2010, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). In May 2011, construction started on 74 multi family homes, which includes apartments, row housing and semi-detached units, compared to eight such starts in May 2010. Work on single detached houses fell 22.8 per cent to 152 starts last month from 197 in the same month last year. In total, May housing starts rose 10.2 per cent to 226 from 205 a year earlier. (Star Phoenix, June 8, 2011)

New Businesses:
Leven’s Coffee Company, owner Marie Tupper. (Star Phoenix, May 21, 2011)
Whole Nutrition & Health, new owners Scott and Jamie Coulson, and Lori Maione. (Star Phoenix, May 21, 2011)
My Custom Cake Topper, owner Holly Edwards. (Star Phoenix, May 25, 2011)
Global Healthcare Connections, owner Adele Kulyk. (Star Phoenix, May 28, 2011)
Blackburn Motors Inc., owner Michael Blackburn. (Star Phoenix, May 28, 2011)
Shifted Earth Apparel, owner Tony Japp. (Star Phoenix, June 4, 2011)
Glennross Studios, owners Glen Ens and Ross Nykiforuk. (Star Phoenix, June 4, 2011)
Yu Spa Esthetics, owner Brandie Georget. (Star Phoenix, June 4, 2011)

Swift Current Region

Leader
Construction has begun on a new housing duplex in the community. (The Leader News, June 1, 2011)

Al’s Hardware will celebrate its grand opening in June. (The Leader News, June 8, 2011)

Shaunavon
Shaunavon was selected out of four Saskatchewan communities to be home to a 30 metre high wind turbine as part of a SaskPower demonstration project. (The Shaunavon Standard, May 31, 2011)

Swift Current
Over 110 professional and business women attended the first ever Women without Borders conference at the Sky Centre held in May. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, May 26, 2011)

Great Plains College celebrated their grand opening in May. They underwent a $13.5 million expansion and renovation project that was jointly funded by the Federal and Provincial Governments. (www.swiftcurrentonline.com, May 27, 2011)

The Swift Current Business Excellance Awards were held recently at the Sky Centre. The following are the winners:
Swift Shoe Repair and Leather Shoppe - Business of the Year
Crutch’s Plumbing and Heating - New Business
Urban Ground Coffeehouse- Young Entrepreneur
Kal Tire- Customer Service
Pinnacle Financial- Growth and Expansion
Cypress Motors- Community Involvement
Cowtown – Masterfeeds - Southwest
Et cetera Et cetera- Business Hall of Fame Inductee
(Swift Current Regional Office, June 2011)

Yorkton Region

Canora
A local committee is being formed to spearhead the feasibility study phase for a new integrated health facility for the Town of Canora. The study cost is estimated between $100,000 to $150,000, with the facility cost estimated at $40 million. (Canora Courier, June 8, 2011)

Dereck Wolkowski has opened Wolkowski Funeral Services. He also owns Wolkowski Funeral Services in Kamsack. A grand opening took place in June. (Canora Courier, June 8, 2011)

Fleming
Brent and Heather Parkin have opened The Extraordinary Light Gallery in Fleming. The gallery displays the photography of Brent Parkin, some giftware for retail, as well as offering specialty coffees and desserts. Although the business is currently open Friday to Sunday, this will occur for one year before the business is open full time. An official opening is expected to take place in July 2011. (The World-Spectator, Moosomin, May 23, 2011)

Lanigan
Canpotex Railcar Maintenance and Staging Facility held a ground breaking ceremony in May. The facility will cost $55 million to build and is expected to employ 20 full time people. Construction is expected to start in June and conclude in the fall of 2012. (Humboldt Journal, May 25, 2011)

Regional
The Annual General Meeting of Saskatchewan East Enterprise Region (SEER) took place recently in Yorkton. SEER is looking to fill six open positions on its board of directors. (Yorkton This Week, June 1, 2011)

Whitewood
After 35 years in business, Ron and Pat Demofsky of Whitewood Agencies have retired. The agency has been purchased by Andrew Agencies. It is the 13th office that Andrews Agencies has in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The agency specializes in insurance, real estate, general and auto insurance, and MGI financial services and products. (The Whitewood Herald, June 6, 2011)

Price Reduced on 4508-52 st in Vermilion

Kang Kim — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:29:00 GMT

Vermilion, Rural NE Alberta - Announcing a price reduction on 4508-52 st, a single story. Now $1,450,000 - Reduced.

Property information

Saskatoon housing trend in Nov 2010

Kang Kim — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:52:00 GMT

사스카툰지역의 11월 주택동향에 의하면, 주택가격은 지난해 11월에 비해 13.5% 상승한 것으로 집계되었습니다. 평균주택가격은 $295,000이며, 시장에 머무는 기간은 약 42일정도로 집계되었습니다.

이는 지난 5월 이후 은행이자 상승이후(현재 프라임 이자율 3%), 은행의 변동금리 이자율이 안정된 이유로 기인하고 있습니다.

주택의 공급과 수요비율을 예측함으로써, 향후 주택전망을 감지할 수 있을 것으로 내다 보고 있습니다.

자료처 : 사스카툰 부동산협회

Home sales up during November in SK

Kang Kim — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:38:00 GMT

2010 11월 주택판매 및 가격 동향

지난 수요일 The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) 발표에 의하면, SK의 11월 주택판매는 지난해 비해 12% 증가했습니다.(863채 sold, 771채 작년 11월). 평균집값은 $251, 732 로서 지난해 동월, $233 506에 비해 7.8상승한 것으로 집계되었습니다.

이에 비해 벤쿠버 11.3% 상승, 에드몬턴 6.9%, 캘거리 2.6% 상승했습니다.

자료처 : http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Home+sales+during+November/3984950/story

House price

Kang Kim — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 03:50:00 GMT

캐나다 주택시장에서 당연히 벤쿠버가 제일 비싼 곳이라는 것은 누구나 알고 있지만, 그 다음으로 어느 지역이 비싼지? 다음 기사를 참조하여 한번 보시죠?

4베드룸 일반 하우스 기준으로 보면, 메트로 벤쿠버 1.3m, 캘거리 $551,920, 메트로 토론토 $495,398, 사스카툰 484,000

사스카툰 집가격이 싸지 않은 곳임을 알게 됩니다. 가장 저렴한 곳은? 뉴브런쉭에 있는 몽크턴(Moncton, N.B) $201,522

Metro Vancouver comes out as startlingly expensive in comparison to other areas of the country when it comes to four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes.

A report issued this week by real estate firm Coldwell Banker compared average prices across the country of detached four-bedrooms, and found the average price in Metro Vancouver to be well over double that of the next most expensive region, Calgary.

The going rate for this kind of home in Metro Vancouver was $1.3 million. In Calgary, that price was $551,920. Metro Toronto was even lower, at $495,398.

Looking for a bargain? Try Windsor, Ont., at $158,242.

The next cheapest city is Moncton, N.B., where a four-bedroom goes for $201,522.

A comparable property in Kelowna is $916,697, while Saskatoon came in at $484,000 and Winnipeg at $343,160.

— With a file from the Vancouver Sun

2010년 사스캐추원주 낙관적 경제전망

Kang Kim — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:44:00 GMT

내년 캐나다 경제성장율은 3.7%로 전망하고 있습니다.

사스캐추원주는 비씨주에 이어 2번째의 경제성장 전망이 예상됩니다.

STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH EXPECTED FOR SASKATCHEWAN NEXT YEAR

Conference Board Projects 3.7 Per Cent Growth in 2010 Canada's leading economic forecasters are projecting that the Saskatchewan economy will bounce back from a temporary setback to become one of the top performers again in 2010. "We're not heading into a recession - we're coming out of one," Finance Minister Rod Gantefoer said. "All the independent forecasters are projecting a strong rebound for Saskatchewan's economy in 2010." The Conference Board of Canada forecast released today predicts Saskatchewan will post economic growth of 3.7 per cent in 2010, second best in the country. On average, Canada's nine leading economic forecasters - the Conference Board, Global Insight, C4SE, TD, RBC, BMO, CIBC, Scotiabank and Laurentian - are projecting an economic growth rate for Saskatchewan of 2.8 per cent in 2010, tied with BC for the best in Canada. Like every other Canadian province, Saskatchewan's economy is expected to shrink in 2009, but the province's economic downturn should be short-lived Gantefoer said. "After the kind of growth we've had in the last couple of years, a slowdown is not too surprising," Gantefoer said. "We'll see a dip into negative territory this year, but we have every reason to be confident that we'll be near the front of the pack again in 2010." "There is no doubt that the troubles of the potash industry have presented us with some major challenges this year. But the Saskatchewan economy has proven to be extremely resilient. "We have the lowest unemployment rate in Canada and our population is growing at its fastest pace in over 50 years. And 2010 should be an even stronger year for Saskatchewan's economy." -30- For more information, contact: Randy Burton Finance Regina Phone: 306-787-6578 News Archives Print this page Email to a friend

House Market Aug 09

Kang Kim — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:37:00 GMT

Saskatoon region home sales strong during August 09

2009년 8월 사스카툰 주택판매동향입니다. 주택판매량은 393채로서 지난해 8월의 223채와 비교하면 76% 상승해습니다.

하지만 주택가격에 있어서는 안정된 거래금액이 형성되고 있는 편입니다. 판매된 주택의 평균가격은 $281,187로서 지난해의 $279,722와 거의 동일한 수준에 거래되었을 보여줍니다. 본기사는 스타파닉스에서 발췌번역한 것이며 데이터는 사스카툰 부동산 협회에서 발표한 내용입니다.

By Cassandra Kyle, The StarPhoenixSeptember 2, 2009Be the first to post a comment

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Home sales were on the rise in August, with real estate agents counting 393 purchases, an increase of 76 per cent from the same month in 2008 when 223 home sales were recorded in the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors' (SRAR) ledger.

"The increase in unit sales is just verifying the demand for residential housing in Saskatoon," said Harry Janzen, SRAR's executive officer.

Stable prices and solid homes to choose from gave homebuyers the confidence to move into the market in August, Janzen explained. The average selling price for a home in the city last month was $281,871, a figure similar to August 2008 when the average selling price was $279,722.

"Once we've had the stability that we've had now for the last four or five months in all areas -- interest rates, inventory, prices, that type of thing -- then consumers are usually willing to move forward," he said.

The average year-to-date selling price for a home in Saskatoon totals $278,129, according to SRAR's figures, a four per cent drop from the first eight months of last year when the year-to-date price totalled $288,924.

That $280,000 figure, Janzen explained, indicates the Saskatoon market is no longer undervalued, as it was in 2006, allows first-time homebuyers to enter the market and shows the range in the prices of homes that are being sold in the city.

Even more popular than houses in the $275,000 to $300,000 range, he said, are houses priced between $300,000 and $350,000, a trend that has been occurring in the city for some time.

"Certainly, demand dictates price and certainly the market is very active in the price range that we're seeing," he said.

With 1,148 homes on the market at the end of August, a 32 per cent drop from August 2008 when 1,676 homes were up for sale, Janzen expects inventory levels to continue to fall -- a move that will only help strengthen Saskatoon's residential real estate market, he said.

The number of homes on the market is showing a steady decline from an all-time high of 1,748 homes listed for sale in the city in September 2008.

"It took some time because it wasn't a realistic number to begin with," Janzen said. "It certainly had to do with the buying frenzy that we saw in 2007. You ended up with a lot of investors from all areas of the country, predominately from Alberta, buying property with the idea of flipping those properties."

The real estate market outside of the city also showed strength in August, with 92 properties selling last month, a 22 per cent increase from August 2008 when 79 homes were sold in the region outside of Saskatoon.

In these areas, which includes communities such as Martensville and Dalmeny, the average selling price in August reached $270,488, up nine per cent from August 2008 when the average selling price was $248,556.

Janzen expects the Saskatoon real estate market to remain stable through the remainder of the year.

"I would expect that it's going to be that way right through fall and probably for the remainder of the year. There's no indication that there's going to be any significant difference," he said.

ckyle@sp.canwest.com

House sale April 2009

Kang Kim — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:39:00 GMT

Housing market 'stabilizing': official

By Joanne Paulson, The StarPhoenixMay 2, 2009Comments (3)

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Housing sales warmed up in April -- not to the extent of the last two boom years, but ahead of the same month in 2005 and 2006.

Realtors sold 353 homes last month, down 15 per cent from last April, but up from 280 units in 2006 and 332 in 2005.

Harry Janzen, executive officer of the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors, says the market is recovering from a quieter last few months.

He notes inventories are starting to drop, a combination of sales and lower listings. Realtors put 694 homes on the market in April, down 23 per cent from last April's 896 listings.

"What I really like seeing is the trend of number of listings that are taken --1,499 is still a high number for us, but we were at that high of 1,748 in September, so that's quite significant."

Typically, there would be about 1,000 listings at this time of year.

The average price came in at $275,455, down from last April's $306,031. However, the price is almost bang on the trailing six-month average of $276,000.

"It's a real stabilizing effect," said Janzen. "There's always a temptation to measure against our two crazy years."

SRAR said the $300,000 to $350,000 price range was the most active, with 62 sales.

There's no doubt that the market is still correcting, but Janzen sees it as a mainly positive thing. Interest rates are low and prices have come down somewhat. There is a lot of pent-up demand, judging by the numbers of people going to their banks for pre-approved mortgages, he said.

"It has given opportunity again to the first-time home buyer who was literally edged out of the market," said Janzen.

He is also aware of buyers from Alberta and Ontario looking for homes and said a few properties actually attracted multiple offers in April.

While there is still a wait-and-see attitude out there, both from sellers and buyers, Janzen also perceives considerable market confidence stemming from Saskatchewan's reasonably strong, resource-based economy.

House sale June 2009

Kang Kim — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:34:00 GMT

Sales climb, but price for houses dips in June

The StarPhoenixJuly 3, 2009

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June was a warm month for Saskatoon real estate agents and their clients, who sold 38 per cent more homes than the same month of 2008, the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors (SRAR) reported Thursday.

Residential sales came in at 442, up from 321 in June 2008. The average selling price was $276,867, down 11 per cent from last year's peak of $310,386, SRAR said in a news release.

So far this year, 1,867 homes have sold through the multiple listing service (MLS) system, down 13 per cent from last year's 2,153.

Listings have also started to drop off. Realtors listed 669 properties in June, down 26 per cent from 904 last June. The number of listings on the Saskatoon market has surged since last spring, due to the hot market conditions of 2007 and early 2008.

However, year-to-date listings have fallen off 11 per cent to 3,825, from 4,310 last year.

At the end of June, there were 1,439 homes on the market, down from 1,532 at the end of May.

The average price in communities surrounding Saskatoon rose 17 per cent to $251,354, up from $208,760 last June. Unit sales rose 14 per cent to 99, up from 85.

Harry Janzen, executive officer of SRAR, said he expects the market to be similar in the third quarter.

"Market conditions are favourable with low interest rates, steady employment numbers and a generally strong consumer confidence in the local economy," said Janzen in a news release.

JUNE TOTAL SALES

Year Sales Ave. price

2005 435 $139,728

2006 500 $160,547

2007 644 $252,433

2008 452 $310,386

2009 566 $276,867

FIVE-YEAR HIGHS

Monthly sales: 813, May 2007

Residential average sale price:

$310,386, June 2008

Total listings: 1,482 May 2008

Source: Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors

House Sale July 2009

Kang Kim — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:31:00 GMT

Home sales up year-over-year: SRAR

By Cassandra Kyle, The StarPhoenixAugust 5, 2009Be the first to post a comment

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An increase in the number of homes sold in the Saskatoon region last month has as much to do with pent-up demand as it does with steady prices, the executive director of the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors (SRAR) said Tuesday.

Home sales were up 28 per cent in July to 440 compared to 345 sales in July 2008, SRAR figures show. The average selling price dropped three per cent to $283,619 last month from $292,714 a year earlier, a relative stability that prospective homeowners took as a positive sign, said Harry Janzen.

"What happens when the market stabilizes, which it has over the last three to four months, is the consumer starts to understand this is the way the market is going to be. Prices aren't probably going to do a whole lot as far as changing, and then we just simply move back into normal activity," he said.

The year-to-date average selling price for a home in the region is $277,512, a four per cent drop from 2008's seven-month average of $289,746. The average price for a home in the Saskatoon region in June was $276,867.

Janzen said mortgage lenders have been busy with clients hoping to buy a home now that prices have been at a more consistent level during the past few months.

"It wasn't that they didn't want to buy previously; they just couldn't because of qualifying (for a mortgage). Now that the price is down, they're as much in the market as they were before," he said.

Most of the homes that sold last month were in the $300,000 to $350,000 price range, said Janzen, adding homes that sold for between $275,000 and $300,000 came in at a close second.

Nearly 1,300 homes were listed for sale in the region at the end of July, a figure lower than the record high of 1,748 homes for sale in September 2008.

The number of houses on the market remains higher than the typical number of homes on sale at this time of the year which, from 2004-06, was between 700 and 800 listings.

"Inventory levels are coming down, which is great, but with the higher inventory levels, there's more for buyers to select from. . . . Therefore, people want to enter the marketplace," he said.

Outside of Saskatoon, 109 homes were sold in July, a figure up 51 per cent from the 72 homes sold in 2008. The average selling price for houses outside of the city dropped five per cent from last year to $253,764 from $265,852.

SRAR expects Saskatoon's residential real-estate market to remain stable through the remainder of the third quarter.

"There's a real balance now as far as the number of properties for sale and the number of buyers that are out there, so there's really no reason to expect anything different," Janzen said.

ckyle@sp.canwest.com

Sask immingration expection of more new people

Kang Kim — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:01:00 GMT

사스캐추원 이민부 장관에 의하면, 12~18개월 내에 10,000명의 신규이민자를 받아들일 전망이라는 기사내용입니다.

Saskatchewan's immigration minister is convinced the province will welcome as many as 10,000 international migrants in the next 12 to 18 months.

Norris disputes forecasts

Immigration minister expects province to meet nominee target this year

By Joanne Paulson, The StarPhoenixJune 3, 2009Be the first to post a comment

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Saskatchewan's immigration minister is convinced the province will welcome as many as 10,000 international migrants in the next 12 to 18 months.

Rob Norris, who is also minister of advanced education, employment and labour, disputes recent economists' forecasts saying immigration and in-migration will drop below levels seen in the boom of 2007 and much of 2008.

One forecast called for 2,500 immigrants in 2009 and 1,000 in-migrants from other provinces, well down from 4,838 and 5,559 respectively in 2008.

Norris bases his forecast on the target set for the Saskatchewan immigrant nominee program, which fast-tracks applications from immigrants needed in the labour market. In 2008, the province's target was 2,800 nominations. The program exceeded that target, bringing in 2,914 nominees and 7,500 people.

Click here more information

Farmland values soar_사스카툰 농장가격 급상승

Kang Kim — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:50:00 GMT

사스카툰 농장가격에 대한 기사내용입니다. 알버타주에 비해 현저히 저렴한 가격입니다.

A quarter section of land in the RM of Aberdeen recently sold for more than $2 million, or $13,000 per acre.

Before prices started to rise, land was an average of $340 an acre compared to Alberta's $800. Even Manitoba's average value, at $600, beats today's Saskatchewan average of $400 to $500 (원화로 계산하면 평당 400~500월꼴입니다.)

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Saskatoon housing stat. in May 2009

Kang Kim — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:38:00 GMT

The average sale price was down seven per cent to $279,477 from $301,957 in May 2008. The average price has remained fairly steady over the last six months, ranging from $266,400 to $281,680.

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Saskatchewan small business operators optimistic

Kang Kim — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:34:00 GMT

Saskatchewan small business operators optimistic

사스캐츄원의 소규모 비즈니스에 대한 전망이 낙관적이라는 기사입니다. 특히 전반적인 세계경기의 하락시기에도 불구하고 말입니다.

By Neil Scott, Leader-PostMarch 25, 2009

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REGINA -- Operators of small independent businesses in Saskatchewan were in a fairly optimistic mood in the first quarter of 2009 — especially in comparison to their depressed country cousins in Alberta.

Survey results released Wednesday by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business showed that business operators in Saskatchewan were the third most optimistic in Canada while those in Alberta were the least optimistic.

The optimism rating of 79.8 in Alberta, based on a scoring system devised by the CFIB based on answers provided to business operators to a series of questions, was the lowest recorded in any province at any time since the CFIB began conducting the survey almost 10 years ago.

Marilyn Braun-Pollon, the vice-president Saskatchewan and Agri-business with the CFIB, said the Alberta-Saskatchewan comparison is interesting because surveys taken about three years ago indicated Alberta business operators were the most optimistic in Canada while those in Saskatchewan were the least optimistic.

“Who would have thought?,’’ Braun-Pollon asked Wednesday, adding that few people would have guessed three years ago that there would have been such a change in the fortunes and in the economic climates of the two neighbouring Western provinces.

“The Alberta advantage is fading away,’’ Braun-Pollon commented, in a telephone interview.

“The bloom is off the boom,’’ she added.

The increased diversity of Saskatchewan’s economy has helped the province weather the national and economic turmoil of recent months better than Alberta and most parts of Canada, Braun-Pollon said.

The news for Saskatchewan was not all positive in the latest survey to the extent that the province was leading the country in business optimism in the final three months of 2008 but fell behind Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick in the first quarter of 2009.

And the confidence score in Saskatchewan declined to 97.3 in the first quarter of 2009 from 100.6 in the last three months of 2008.

Across Canada, the confidence level for business operators increased slightly in the first quarter to 87.3 from 86.1 in the final quarter of last year.

But Braun-Pollon said it is significant that the confidence levels in Saskatchewan remain well above the national average.

Major investments in infrastructure and the planned reductions in education property taxes announced in last week’s provincial budget should fuel increased optimism in the province during the upcoming second quarter of the year, Braun-Pollon said.

Twenty-five per cent of the business operators surveyed in Saskatchewan said they expected to increase full-time employment while nine per cent said they planned to decrease the number of full-time employees.

Sixty three per cent of those surveyed in Saskatchewan said product input costs were getting worse and 38 per cent said wage costs were going up.

The survey was conducted on a web site and by fax between March 1 and March 13, with 1,741 business responding. The national results are considered to be accurate within a 2.3 per cent margin of error 19 times out of 20. But the margin of error would be greater for individual provinces.

Hotel market strong in Sask.

Kang Kim — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:30:00 GMT

Hotel market strong in Sask.

사스캐츄원 호텔가격은 캐나다 전지역에 비해 아직도 상승가능성이 있다는 기사내용입니다.

2008년 사스캐츄원주에서 거래된 주요 호텔가격은 룸당 $88,200불로서, 캐나다 전지역의 평균가격인 $ 116,500불과 현저한 차이가 있음을 보여주고 있습니다.

Per-room revenue highest in country: report

By Cassandra Kyle, The StarPhoenixMarch 26, 2009 8:34 AMBe the first to post a comment

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Saskatchewan led the nation last year in the amount of revenue generated per hotel room, making the province a leading jurisdiction for hotel investment, says a new report.

The 2009 Canadian Hotel Investment Report by Colliers International Hotels highlighted Saskatchewan as a hot spot for hotel sales. According to figures from PFK Consulting used in the Colliers report, revenue per available room (RevPAR) in Saskatchewan in 2008 grew 11 per cent to $79.40 from $71.56 in 2007. National RevPAR grew only a slight 0.6 per cent last year to $83.02 from $82.50 a year earlier.

RevPAR in Saskatoon rose 1.4 per cent last year to $92.46 from $79.46 in 2007, while in Regina RevPAR grew 7.6 per cent to $78.53 in 2008 from $73.01 a year earlier. According to PFK, the average daily rate for a hotel room in Saskatchewan was $109.87 last year, an 8.5 per cent increase from $101.23 in 2007.

Bill Stone, executive managing director of Colliers International Hotels, said the demand for rooms in the province last year has led to corporate interest in purchasing hotel properties in Saskatchewan. In 2008, seven traditional hotels -- meaning smaller, sometimes independent two to 3.5-star hotels -- priced at more than $1 million were sold in the province last year for a total of $43 million. Not included in the traditional hotel sales is the Delta Bessborough, which was sold last year for $40 million as part of a larger, nationwide deal.

"I think Saskatchewan has been one of the strongest markets, if not the strongest market in Canada," said Stone, explaining while other markets have seen drops in RevPAR and sales, Saskatchewan's hotels market has managed to retain interest from customers and corporate investors.

"There has been downward pressure on rates, but there are examples across the country where they are actually reversing and Saskatchewan has been one of the strongest markets in Canada," he said.

A growing economy, bolstered by strong commodity prices, is one reason why investors have been drawn to Saskatchewan's hotels, Stone explained. The seven properties sold last year recorded an average price per room of $88,200, a figure below the national average of $116,500, but higher than the average price per room recorded from sales in Ontario, Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Manitoba in 2008.

Stone said another reason why investors are looking to Saskatchewan hotels is because of the limited supply of the properties in the province.

"There haven't been a lot of new hotels added, and so you've got a combination of a strong economy and not a significant impact on supply as other markets and operators are able to perform well in that kind of market," he said.

Saskatoon and Regina together led the nation in hotel value index, a measurement in the rate of change of hotel values, with growth of 6.2 per cent in 2008. The cities are forecast to lead the nation with a 3.5 per cent growth in hotel value this year.

ckyle@sp.canwest.com

- 2008 TRADITIONAL HOTEL SALES IN SASKATCHEWAN:

Hotel Community Rooms Price

Bar-B-Inn Motel Assiniboia 28 $1.2 million

Best Western Harvest Inn Saskatoon 91 $15 million

Best Western Parkland Inn Yorkton 80 $ 6.3 million

Best Western Marquis Inn & Suites Prince Albert 77 $6.65 million

Prince Albert Inn Hotel Complex Prince Albert 110 $5.25 million

Super 8 Motel Swift Current Swift Current 63 $6.2 million

Country Squire Inn Moosomin 37 $2.27 million

Source: Colliers International Hotels

? Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

Hotel investment plunges 77%

Kang Kim — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:26:00 GMT

Hotel investment plunges 77%

Market is `exercising extreme caution' amid uncertain economy

Mar 26, 2009 04:30 AM

Comments on this story (1)

Tony Wong
Business Reporter

Ontario hotels are feeling the brunt of an economic slowdown combined with a drop in tourist and business travel that has taken a bite out of the industry.

Hotel investment across Canada fell 77 per cent to $1.1 billion in 2008, according to a report yesterday by Colliers International Hotels.

"The market is exercising extreme caution given the economic uncertainty," Bill Stone, executive managing director of Colliers Hotels, said in an interview. "There was a perception we were heading into a distressed hotel environment."

Ontario posted the lowest average price per room – an industry measure that reflects the cost of the property divided by the number of rooms – at $65,100, down 26 per cent from 2007.

"Given the drop in the manufacturing base and the fact there was early supply growth, Ontario has had it harder than the other provinces," said Stone.

Meanwhile, the value of hotel rooms in the key downtown Toronto market is forecast to decline by another 7 per cent by the end of this year as a steady supply of upscale hotels such as The Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Shangri-La open for business starting next year.

Colliers is not forecasting a market glut, but the release of so many new rooms could place downward pressure on values.

"What happens will really be a function of the economy at the time," said Stone. "Hopefully, the economy will be pointing in the right direction by then."

As for this year, "the return to a lower Canadian dollar and reduced fuel prices will likely not be enough to spur lodging demand growth in 2009, particularly as airlines reduce capacity and consumer and business confidence remain weak," Colliers said.

In contrast to previous years that saw foreign buyers snapping up Canadian hotels, most of the activity in 2008 was domestic. Private investors were most active, followed by investment companies, Real Estate Investment Trusts and pension funds.

"Due to the current financial meltdown, hotel real estate lending has become the biggest challenge for transactions," said Colliers.

During the peak period of 2005 to 2007, the availability of easy credit made hotels an attractive investment acquisition target as activity hit record highs in Canada.

Deep-pocketed overseas investors, including Microsoft founder Bill Gates, were attracted to some of the top Canadian brands on the auction block, including Four Seasons and Fairmont.

While Colliers does not expect a return to that level of activity soon, it is also not seeing a reprisal of the early '90s, when recession triggered a record number of failures, placing many hotels in the hands of lenders.

Canadian hotel investment in steep decline

Kang Kim — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:14:00 GMT

Canadian hotel investment in steep decline

캐나다 호텔 가격이 많이 다운 되었다는 기사입니다. 최근의 국제적 경기하락세로 인해, 2007년 $154,200의 평균룽 가격이 2008년에는 $116,500으로 하락했다는 내용입니다. 숙박업에 관심이 있으신 분은 꾸준한 스터티가 필요한 시점입니다.

By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary HeraldMarch 26, 2009 5:37 AM

Story
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Tourists Noel McCargar and Omar Young, from Oakland Calif., orient themselves on a city map.

Photograph by: Adrian Lam, Times Colonist, Times Colonist

The global credit crunch and the recession that followed have hit the Canadian hotel real estate sector, which experienced a 77 per cent decline in investment activity, falling to $1.1 billion in 92 transactions over the past year, according to Colliers International Hotels' 2009 Canadian hotel investment report released Wednesday.

The report also found the average price per room fell by 25 per cent to $116,500 in 2008 from$154,200 the previous year. Although the transaction volume was down from a record$4.6 billion in 2007 with 168 transactions, last year was the fifth-strongest year of activity on record.

"Although the current climate looks bleak, the lodging industry is in a much better position compared to previous downturns as it hasn't been inundated with oversupply and distressed hotels," said Bill Stone, executive managing director with Colliers International Hotels. "The past has taught us that the hotel industry can come back stronger after each downturn."

According to Susan Thompson, research manager at Avison Young Commercial Real Estate in Calgary, there was only one hotel sale last year in Calgary -- the Delta Bow Valley for$115.4 million, or $289,950 per unit.

In 2007, there were three city hotel sales--Days Inn for $12.25 million ($91,418 per unit);Lakeview Signature Inn for $24.5 million ($204,167 per unit) and Howard Johnson for $4.385 million ($91,354 per unit).

Alberta had 14 hotel transactions in 2008 for a total of $133 million and that worked out to the highest price per room in the country at $137,700.

The Colliers report also said 80 new hotels with about 8,900 rooms opened last year in Canada, representing a 2.4 per cent increase in sup-ply, and 74 new hotels are expected to open this year.

Nationally, hotel sales in 2006 totalled 141 for almost $3 billion and in 2005 there were 104 sales for $1.7 billion.

"These are challenging times with international governments acknowledging the recessionary pressures and implementing spending strategies to stimulate the economy," said the Colliers report.

"The return to a lower Canadian dollar and reduced fuel prices will likely not be enough to spur lodging demand growth in 2009, particularly as airlines reduce capacity and consumer and business confidence remains weak.

"The hotel real estate sector, however, enters this recession in remarkably better shape than previous downturns."

사스캐츄원 농장 가격이 경제적 하향을 거부한다.

Kang Kim — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:58:00 GMT

Sask. farmland values defy economic downturn

땅에 관심을 가지시는 분들은 눈여겨 볼 만한 기사내용입니다.

지난 기사에서 언급하고 있는 바와 같이, 현재 사스캐추원 농장가격은 뮤츄얼 펀드 보다 낫은 은퇴계획을 수립할 수 있다는 기사내용입니다.

By Kevin Hursh, Special to The StarPhoenixFebruary 4, 2009

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Compared to mutual funds, farmland investment looks pretty good right now.

Most people with mutual funds have taken a big hit during the past year. Ironically, financial advisers have often urged farmers to diversify their investments. Ignoring mutual funds has been a paying proposition in the past couple of years.

It can make passing the farm to the next generation easier if there are significant off-farm assets and mutual funds are supposed to be viewed as long term. You only crystallize a loss if you sell. However, many people are wondering if they have enough years left before retirement to recoup this big crash in values.

While grain prices have dropped dramatically from their peak in the middle of last year, the sector is still optimistic. With fertilizer prices coming down, there's a reasonable chance of making a profit in the grain industry this year.

In many cases, cash rents are softening. Unlike last year, there doesn't seem to be the opportunity for huge returns and that is being reflected in rental agreements that are up for negotiation.

Land prices, on the other hand, continue to strengthen. Top farmland in many parts of Saskatchewan has been trading hands at values of around $200,000 per quarter. That's $1,250 an acre. Even these top values are cheap compared to farmland in other jurisdictions.

As a farmer, if you buy land, you're also a land speculator. A piece of land usually has a tough time paying for itself, but you can make a lot of money or lose a lot of money depending on what land values do.

The last few years have seen organized outside investment in Saskatchewan farmland. Typically, these investors have purchased land and rented it back to a producer, often the producer who owned the land to start with.

The rental income doesn't make the investment companies a big return, but their bottom line looks very good in a rising land market. Leveraging investor dollars with borrowed money accentuates the upside, but would do the opposite in a falling market.

And values don't always increase. Starting in the early 1980s until the early '90s, Saskatchewan farmland values declined steadily.

At this point, grain land is in sharp contrast to land for grazing and hay. The cattle industry is in turmoil. There's been a big sell-off of the beef breeding herd, meaning less demand for grazing.

During the years, a number of government programs have encouraged producers to seed marginal grain land back to grass. This was considered the right thing to do from both an environmental and economic viewpoint.

These days, producers who have sold their cow herd are likely to take a look at their hay and grazing ground to see if it can be turned into grain production.

The Saskatchewan government has a program to sell Crown grazing land to leaseholders. Some producers who have looked into it say the government's asking prices are way too high given the state of the cattle industry.

But things are very different in the grain sector, which dominates Saskatchewan. These days, the grain industry and, therefore, land prices are running countercyclical to the rest of the economy.

You can find analysts who are extremely optimistic about the future of the grain sector and you can find others who claim the declining world economy is going to cause a crash in grain demand.

Many large grain producers rent most of their land rather than owning it. They've separated, at least to some degree, the business of grain production from land speculation.

For many others, the value of land has a big impact on their net value. They may not get rich farming, but if land values continue to escalate they might retire with a tidy nest egg. These days, that looks like a better retirement plan than mutual funds.

Kevin Hursh is a consulting agrologist and farmer based in Saskatoon. He can be reached at kevin@hursh.ca.