Building permits double as Kootenay town experiences construction boom

The biggest city in British Columbia's Kootenay regionis going through a building boom.

CranbrookMayor Lee Pratt says building permits have more than doubled so far in 2016 from $9 million in permits distributed last year.

"That's a huge increase and I think it shows a lot of confidence returning toCranbrookand the economy here," Pratt said.

Pratt says he thinks the boom is because people from the Lower Mainland are moving in.

On top of that, he says, fewer locals are moving to Alberta, which is experiencing a severe recession.

OtherKootenaytowns likeRevelstokeand Nelson also say they're experiencing spikes in new construction.

Evan Burwash, a contractor in Cranbrook, says there's no shortage of work for him right now.

"I've only been doing this for about fiveyears now," Burwash said. "It's pretty steady."

With files from Bob Keating