2003 construction off to slow start. (Sault Ste Marie).

Last year the City of Sault Ste. Marie enjoyed the fourth highest year for dollar value of building construction since 1976. The city is hoping to have a similar year in 2003.

"Last year we did $80,734,694 in building construction," says Don Maki, senior plans examiner with the municipality of Sault Ste. Marie.

The total was a $35,739,084 increase over 200l. A big reason for the jump was the start of F. J. Davey Home for senior care. When completed, the building will be three storeys and about 71,000 square feet. It will also have 200-plus beds. The project is worth about $36 million and is the largest long-term care building in the province."

2002 was also fueled by commercial construction of a new Wal Mart and a new hotel and Sault College underwent $2.5 million in renovations, and the prisoner treatment centre had a $4.3-million new jail addition.

Construction activity in the new year remains slow and steady, Maki says.

There was about $2.5 million in building construction in January and February.

"It has been pretty slow and we' have not issued anything major yet," says Maki. "We are expecting more to come in because the city is still working on plans for projects."

Maki is anticipating several projects to get started in 2003, including the waterfront development.

The Ontario Lottery Corporation is planning to do about $6 million in renovations to its entire building.

Algoma University is planning about $4.8 million of construction on its new Learning Pavilion and an additional $1.1 million for townhouse-style residences. The city library is looking at about a $1 million addition for the Animation Centre.