Cody Townend has been with Hay RiverSA国际影视传媒檚 Home Building Centre for about 16 years and he has never seen it so busy.

SA国际影视传媒淲e are flat out right now, it is so extremely busy,SA国际影视传媒� he said in an interview on Oct. 15. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e never seen an October like this before. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 good. In fact itSA国际影视传媒檚 really good.SA国际影视传媒�

The 2021 season follows an even stronger 2020, he added.

SA国际影视传媒淟ast year I would say we saw six to seven, even eight times, more business than we usually have. This year, it has been the same thing, but probably five times busier than usual with sales and customers walking in the door.SA国际影视传媒�

Townend, who has been manager of the store for the last five years, said the building centre has in part seen an upsurge in demand for supplies and materials from government-funded construction projects taking place around town late into the season.

Among them include the new fish plant, the new Family Resource Centre on Riverview Drive and ready to move housing projects being developed by Arctic Construction Canada for replacement in Jean Marie River in November.

SA国际影视传媒淭he government can be known for delaying or waiting to the last minute to start construction projects,SA国际影视传媒� he said chuckling. SA国际影视传媒淏ut right from about the summer up until now weSA国际影视传媒檝e been extremely busy with contractors.SA国际影视传媒�

Townend said on top of those projects, it has seemed that homeowners have spent more money for local needs when in normal times they might put those funds toward travel.

SA国际影视传媒淚f you think about a summer vacation with a family of two to four kids, a mom and a dad, I would say you could easily spend five to 10 grand going south,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淒ue to COVID and not being able to travel I think a lot of people were using that money to put towards home renovations, whether that be inside or outside.SA国际影视传媒�

Demand from projects and individuals in the town proper only adds to the Home Building CentreSA国际影视传媒檚 service to the wider region, Townend added. The store continues to be a vital source of materials as far north as Fort Providence and as far south as Fort Smith,even with a Home Hardware of its own.

SA国际影视传媒淭here are a lot of other communities that depend on us because weSA国际影视传媒檙e really the only lumberyard around - three hours going south and five hours going north,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Some of the demand has put pressure on being able to find a stable supply of workers as pandemic benefits have been provided by the federal government.

SA国际影视传媒淒efinitely ever since Covid-19 happened with people collecting the (Canada Emergency Response Benefit), it is harder to find people to work,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been so bad this year as it was the last two years.

SA国际影视传媒淲e were looking for cashiers and yard guys and there were times we would absolutely have nobody apply.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 getting a little better now, but I wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 say there is a labour shortage because we also try to always find the right person and the right fit.SA国际影视传媒�

Much of the changing times come as the Home Building Centre sees a transition of ownership.

Earlier this year Charles Corothers who owns YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Home Hardware store sold his Hay River store to Scot Halvorson of Manning, Alta.

Halvorson owns the Empire Home Building Centre in the Alberta town.

Townend said he is looking forward to working with Halvorson who has an understanding of the type of operation and clientele served in Hay River.

SA国际影视传媒淭he biggest significance is that Scot and his wife Gail are both small town people and they understand small town business,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e great people, really down to earth and community-oriented and so I think that will be significant to both the organization and the community as a whole.SA国际影视传媒�