Construction

Doug Howson loads lumber onto a forklift at Haney Builders Supplies, in Maple Ridge, B.C., on June 12, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Do-it-yourself-ers benefit from lower prices in aftermath of lumber correction

A two-by-four inch piece of framing lumber that cost $12.65 on June 1 is now selling for $3.95

Doug Howson loads lumber onto a forklift at Haney Builders Supplies, in Maple Ridge, B.C., on June 12, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
While the value of building permits dropped almost four per cent for a total of $9.9 billion Canada as a whole, the value of permits in Victoria Census Metropolitian Area (CMA) rose by almost 27 per cent to some $202 million. (Black Press Media file photo)

Value of building permits skyrockets in Greater Victoria

Greater Victoria building permit values rise 27% while Canada as a whole sees a 4% decline

While the value of building permits dropped almost four per cent for a total of $9.9 billion Canada as a whole, the value of permits in Victoria Census Metropolitian Area (CMA) rose by almost 27 per cent to some $202 million. (Black Press Media file photo)
Emergency vehicles responded to the scene at the former Empire Theatres building in North Vancouver after the building partially collapsed during construction. (Nigel Hubbard/Twitter)

1 person dead, another injured after partial building collapse in North Vancouver

North Vancouver RCMP’s Serious Crimes Unit has assumed conduct of the investigation

Emergency vehicles responded to the scene at the former Empire Theatres building in North Vancouver after the building partially collapsed during construction. (Nigel Hubbard/Twitter)
The red section of road will be partially closed for paving on Aug. 24 and 25. (Contributed/View Royal)
The red section of road will be partially closed for paving on Aug. 24 and 25. (Contributed/View Royal)
Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean (left) and Colwood Mayor Rob Martin with public works staffers on Metchosin Road, where new sidewalks and cycling lanes are being constructed. (Photo courtesy of the City of Colwood)

New sidewalk projects to see completion in Colwood in time for back-to-school

Active transportation upgrades key to City of Colwood’s resident safety commitment

Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean (left) and Colwood Mayor Rob Martin with public works staffers on Metchosin Road, where new sidewalks and cycling lanes are being constructed. (Photo courtesy of the City of Colwood)
The laying of asphalt along Quadra Street between McKenzie Avenue and Rock Street, a project that is part of the District of Saanich’s pavement rehabilitation program, is set to finish Friday night, Aug. 13. (Black Press Media file photo)

Quadra Street repaving to finish Friday night

Four weeks of asphalt laying will conclude between McKenzie and Reynolds

The laying of asphalt along Quadra Street between McKenzie Avenue and Rock Street, a project that is part of the District of Saanich’s pavement rehabilitation program, is set to finish Friday night, Aug. 13. (Black Press Media file photo)
Bocce courts, seen in the left corner of a rendering, are part of renovation plans for Canoe Brewpub as it transforms into Victoria’s first Craft Beer Market location. The plans received council approval earlier this month. (Courtesy of FORT Architecture)

Bocce courts, games room approved for Victoria’s Canoe Brewpub takeover renovations

Canadian brewpub chain Craft Beer Market purchased the pub in January

Bocce courts, seen in the left corner of a rendering, are part of renovation plans for Canoe Brewpub as it transforms into Victoria’s first Craft Beer Market location. The plans received council approval earlier this month. (Courtesy of FORT Architecture)
Making civic and other institutional purchases with an eye to social impact is among the goals the Coastal Communities Social Procurement Initiative, of which the City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt and Capital Regional District are members. (Photo courtesy City of Victoria)

Greater Victoria civic agencies help drive B.C. social procurement initiative

$200 million spent by members on socially valuable goods and services in first two years

Making civic and other institutional purchases with an eye to social impact is among the goals the Coastal Communities Social Procurement Initiative, of which the City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt and Capital Regional District are members. (Photo courtesy City of Victoria)
Plants languish in the heat outside Danbrook One in Langford. The 90-suite building has been vacant since early 2020 because of concerns about its seismic stability. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)

Case of troubled Langford high-rise heading to civil court

Current owners name various parties, including City of Langford, in suit alleging negligence

Plants languish in the heat outside Danbrook One in Langford. The 90-suite building has been vacant since early 2020 because of concerns about its seismic stability. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)
The five-unit townhouse in Langford should have had an architect, and city building inspectors should consider the Architects Act, B.C. Court of Appeals ruled June 30. (Black Press Media file image)

Still ‘unreasonable’ for Langford to permit building with no architect, appeal court rules

Appeal court denies Langford’s appeal of 2020 ruling on Hoffman Complex

The five-unit townhouse in Langford should have had an architect, and city building inspectors should consider the Architects Act, B.C. Court of Appeals ruled June 30. (Black Press Media file image)
A Don Mann Excavating truck briefly became stuck in a muddy section of beach during seawall reconstruction at Cadboro Bay on Thursday, July 8. (Pixabay photo)

Truck briefly bogged down on Cadboro Bay beach

Vehicle had been helping with rebuilding of residential seawall

A Don Mann Excavating truck briefly became stuck in a muddy section of beach during seawall reconstruction at Cadboro Bay on Thursday, July 8. (Pixabay photo)
May 15, 2021, 2021 - Kyle Velikovsky photographed in front of boats and boat houses at Van Isle Marina for Secrets and Lives in Boulevard Victoria. Don Denton photograph

Secrets and Lives With Kyle Velikovsky

White Wolf Homes custom home builder talks business and life

  • Jun 28, 2021
May 15, 2021, 2021 - Kyle Velikovsky photographed in front of boats and boat houses at Van Isle Marina for Secrets and Lives in Boulevard Victoria. Don Denton photograph
The number of skilled trades workers available is not enough to fill the current construction boom in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Influx of skilled tradespeople falling behind Greater Victoria construction boom

Thousands of positions will be needed by 2030, despite flow of Camosun trades students

The number of skilled trades workers available is not enough to fill the current construction boom in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
A rendering shows a view from the southwest of the Doral Forest Park development. (Rendering via D’AMBROSIO Architecture & Urbanism)

Beaver Lake area project passes next hurdle in Saanich

Council approval for 242-unit parks edge development hinges on meeting of conditions

A rendering shows a view from the southwest of the Doral Forest Park development. (Rendering via D’AMBROSIO Architecture & Urbanism)
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps (left), Mike Miller, president and CEO of Abstract Developments, Tavish Rai executive vice-president for Abstract, Coun. Marianne Alto and Joanne Linka of the Cridge Centre for the Family, break ground on the Hillside Avenue development. (Joshua Lawrence Studios)

Sparrow development promises nine affordable homes for Victoria

Work has started on Abstract project on Hillside Avenue

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps (left), Mike Miller, president and CEO of Abstract Developments, Tavish Rai executive vice-president for Abstract, Coun. Marianne Alto and Joanne Linka of the Cridge Centre for the Family, break ground on the Hillside Avenue development. (Joshua Lawrence Studios)
Cyclists in Saanich are concerned for their safety on Burnside Road West near Prospect Lake Road. (Black Press Media file photo)

Rumble strips removed from Saanich’s Burnside Road West improvements

Cyclists opposed to plan relieved to hear their voices were heard

Cyclists in Saanich are concerned for their safety on Burnside Road West near Prospect Lake Road. (Black Press Media file photo)
In a Council of Construction Associations video about hardhat safety, Vickramjit Poonia of Lecor Construction Ltd. (right) speaks as David Sarai of New York Painting (left) looks on, at a Surrey job site. (Youtube.com)

B.C.’s relaxed hardhat rules aim to include more turban-wearing workers on job sites

WorkSafeBC change ‘will allow more Sikhs to come to work without having to compromise religious beliefs’

In a Council of Construction Associations video about hardhat safety, Vickramjit Poonia of Lecor Construction Ltd. (right) speaks as David Sarai of New York Painting (left) looks on, at a Surrey job site. (Youtube.com)
Paving is planned for the “S” curves at the bottom of the Hump on Highway 4. (GOOGLE MAPS SCREENSHOT)

Prepare for Hwy 4 delays

Mainroad crews will be paving the “S” curves east of Port Alberni summit

Paving is planned for the “S” curves at the bottom of the Hump on Highway 4. (GOOGLE MAPS SCREENSHOT)
Lumber is shown in the back of a van in this recent image provided by the Saskatoon Police Service. The skyrocketing prices for lumber is fuelling a trend that has authorities across the country warning builders to keep their guard up. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Saskatoon Police Service-Const. Derek Chesney *MANDATORY CREDIT*

‘It is a gold mine:’ Builders warned of rising lumber thefts across Canada

Many North American mills curtailed production temporarily earlier in 2020 because of COVID lockdowns

Lumber is shown in the back of a van in this recent image provided by the Saskatoon Police Service. The skyrocketing prices for lumber is fuelling a trend that has authorities across the country warning builders to keep their guard up. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Saskatoon Police Service-Const. Derek Chesney *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Saanich is preparing to repave Quadra Street between McKenzie Avenue and Falmouth Road. (District of Saanich/Twitter)

Repaving, culvert replacement begins on Quadra Street in Saanich

Lane closures, traffic impacts expected over several weeks

Saanich is preparing to repave Quadra Street between McKenzie Avenue and Falmouth Road. (District of Saanich/Twitter)
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