The Parade of Homes is underway with viewings opening this evening, though with only three homes on display this year, a tone of what can be done to spur more building took centre stage.--NEWS PHOTO ZOE MASON
zmason@medicinehatnews.com
Medicine Hat’s annual homebuilding showcase kicked off Wednesday with a smaller set of offerings than in previous years.
Only three homes made up this year’s Parade of Homes lineup, with two in Desert Blume and one in Dunmore.
Garry Ruff is president of BILD Medicine Hat, formerly the Canadian Homebuilders Association, which has staged the Parade of Homes since 2007. Ruff told attendees of an opening ceremony that the event was almost called off after 16 years due to the small number of houses available to be displayed.
“The city needs to step up and do something,” said Ruff after the presentation. “They’ve got land sitting vacant that they could turn into residential lots.”
Mayor Linnsie Clark said she couldn’t speak to whether zoning changes could help spur more homebuilding in the city, but she agreed there were other actions the municipality could take to support local builders.
“I do know that we have some work to do as a city to make building easier and a smoother process, and we’re working on it,” she said.
Justin Wright, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, also highlighted the government’s role in obstructing new builds.
“When governments put red tape in the way that make it more expensive to build, that really adds to the cost of what’s getting built in our communities,” he said. “Frankly, I think all three levels of government need to get out of the way.”
Despite the tone of dissatisfaction at this year’s event, new detached home permits in Medicine Hat have increased compared to the same time last year. To the end of August, 22 new detached home permits had been issued in the city, valued at a total of $10.4 million. At the end of August 2024, 17 new detached home permits were issued for a total value of $6.4 million.
John Popoff, director of development services with the city, invited builders to engage more with the municipality to help resolve issues before they become obstacles to new builds.
“We have to get back to a place where we can get homes built quickly and efficiently, and we’re open and receptive to your ideas,” said Popoff. “I encourage every one of you to please reach out. If you want me to come to your job site, if you want me to come and see a circumstance that you have, I’m happy to do that.”
“As a city, we don’t always know the problems, and sometimes, even when we do, we have a hard time seeing our way to a solution on our own,” added Mayor Clark after the presentation. “That’s why I think having that community input and collaboration is so important, so we can find a solution together.”
Parade of Homes locations are:
– 46 Dunes Link in Desert Blume, Wilde Homes;
– 38 Dunes Link in Desert Blume, Belcore Homes
– 184 Eagle Ridge Dr., in Dunmore, Brost Developments
Viewings are available to the public starting today until Oct. 5, from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
