Saskatchewan-Manitoba

Developers will break ground on a mini-city within a city next spring in Winnipeg. Shindico Realty has unveiled plans for Grant Park Pavilions, a $200-million, 46-acre mixed-use development that will have a little bit of, well, everything.

After completing a record 250,000 square feet of new office space in downtown Regina last year, developers are expected to add another 120,000 square feet of space in 2013 - or, more than twice the annual construction pace over the previous decade.

With a retail vacancy rate of 1.97 per cent, the lowest in Saskatchewan and perhaps in North America, Saskatoon is also on track for record retail sales this year.

Strong growth The decision is the latest in a series of good-news items for Brandon, including a report from the Conference Board of Canada.

Regina's rock-bottom office vacancy rate may be rising for the first time in years due to a rush of new construction.

Brightenview will break ground this fall and take between 18 and 24 months to complete the project according to CEO Joe Zhou, who dismissed the many skeptics. "The train has left the station," Zhou told reporters. "There is no turning around.

The largest shopping centre in Canada is being proposed for tiny - population 640 - Dundurn, Saskatchewan as China-based Brightenview Development says it plans to bring hundreds of Asian manufacturers direct to the North American heartland.

The rising population has prompted the construction of a new middle school, which opened last fall, and a new high school, scheduled to be finished next year.

With a retail vacancy rate of 1.97 per cent, the lowest in Saskatchewan and perhaps in North America, Saskatoon is also on track for record retail sales this year.

Inflow of people "Regina is attracting workers from across Canada and around the world," said Mayor Michael Fougere, noting many people are returning to a city they left for greener pastures years ago. Population growth in Saskatchewan hit 6.