Winkler Mayor Martin Harder predicts construction activity in the community could top last year's growth.

That could be quite a challenge as most sectors of the community expanded significantly in 2017.

A total of 18 permits were issued for new Industrial construction last year valued at almost $11.8 million. That's an increase of over $11 million from the year previous.

A number of local industries made improvements to their operations in 2017 to the tune of $3.9 million. That's more than double the value from 2016.

69 single residential construction permits valued at $14.8 million were taken out, a $1.8 million increase, and while 73 permits were issued for renovations to residential properties worth $2.3 million...an increase of $1.4 million over the year previous.

The one area where construction fell off significantly was the commercial sector where the value of new construction dipped to $1.5 million from $7.9 in 2016.

In total, the city issued more building permits than its three partner municipalities combined and registered almost $40 million dollars worth of construction in 2017.

Harder says the concentration of construction activity was quite heavy in Winkler and feels city council has created an environment that will allow that trend to continue into the future.

He adds the numbers they hit last year will likely pale in comparison to what the city will see in construction activity this year.