It appears 2020 was the year to install a swimming pool or do home renovations in Kamloops.

Jason Dixon, the city’s building and engineering development manager, says there was a noticeable increase in home additions, alterations, and swimming pools and hot tubs.

“So apparently with everybody being at home during COVID-19, it was the year to do some renovations on their homes, or maybe put in a swimming pool,” Dixon says.

“But that wasn’t counter-acted with any sort of reduction in activity in any other categories. It really, for us, other than a couple of weeks in March where it was quite quiet when the coronavirus pandemic really first hit, it’s honestly been kind of business as usual for us since late March.”

Last, more than $14.5 million worth of building permits were approved for home renovations, which is a 65 per cent increase from 2019.

In total there were 122 permits issued for home alterations, worth $4.2 million, as well as 102 permits for home additions worth $9.3 million and there were 44 permits issued for swimming pool and hot tub installations, worth $968,000.