Estevan Mayor Gary St. Onge says that he sees daily reminders of the growth in Estevan.

There is more traffic on the streets, he said. Line-ups are longer at restaurants, especially at lunch time. New businesses are coming to Estevan, particularly in the oilfield industry and in the hospitality sector.

Building permits also point to a growing city, he said. Ninety permits, with a total value of $15 million, have been issued in 2010.

“If you look at the last few years, you have tremendous growth in building permits – commercial, multi-family and condos,” said St. Onge.

Estevan has also seen an influx of immigrant workers to fill job vacancies. Filipinos are working at restaurants. Germans and Ukrainians are among the different nationalities working in the oil patch.

“They work very hard, and they're happy to be here,” said St. Onge.

Some people who left the city to pursue opportunities in other communities have also returned to Estevan, St. Onge said.

St. Onge predicts the growth will continue. If the clean coal demonstration project at the Boundary Dam Power Station receives final approval, there will be an influx of workers into the community. Instructors will be coming to Estevan to work at the new Saskatchewan Energy Training Institute.

The new Spectra Place events centre will be finished early next year. And construction on a new truck route north of the city will likely begin in 2011.

If Estevan ever receives an accurate census, St. Onge said he will be interested to see the city's population. Many have disputed Estevan's population of 10,242 from the last census in 2006. Saskatchewan Health's annual tabulation of people in Estevan with health cards pegged the city's population last year at more than 11,000, which is probably a more accurate number, St. Onge said.

“And then, once again, you have people here who are staying in hotels, so in one way, they're not living here, but in another way, they are,” said St. Onge. “They're here everyday. They're using our services everyday.”

The rental property shortage continues, St. Onge said, and that is connected to Estevan’s labour shortage. But a new 39-unit apartment is on the way, and he looks forward to seeing the impact that future residential developments will have on Estevan.

The RM of Estevan also continues to grow, said administrator Greg Hoffort. Twenty-two building permits have been granted so far this year. Ten are for commercial properties. Twelve more have been for residential permits that allow for acreages to proceed.

Acreages continue to grow in popularity, Hoffort said.

“I think it's just the lifestyle that people are seeking,” said Hoffort. “Some folks would rather be right in town, close to services, while others like the peace and quiet, and the tranquility of the countryside.”

The RM's council supports construction of the acreages, Hoffort said, but the council has also developed policies to govern acreage size. Land still has to be available for agricultural production.

A new grader, and additional staff, has been added in the last year to ensure the roads are in the condition required by RM residents and businesses.

A growing RM’s businesses also need water and sewer lines, drainage, and possibly a road that can handle heavy weights, Hoffort said.

“There is a multitude of issues that present themselves in the commercial subdivisions that don't in the residential,” said Hoffort.

A strong relationship exists between the City of Estevan and the RM, Hoffort said, and that has resulted in growth for both municipalities.

“A positive relationship is essential so that we're not duplicating services, so that we're working together rather than against one another, to find that common ground and the realization that growth in either jurisdiction is good for both,” said Hoffort.

If the RM grows, it's good for the City; if the City grows, it's good for the RM, Hoffort said. The two municipalities have worked together on a number of issues that have or will benefit everyone, he said, including the construction of Spectra Place, the fundraising for a new regional nursing home, and the effort to land regional hospital status for St. Joseph's Hospital.