Two Surrey firms and construction both here and in North Delta have been given top awards at a gala on Wednesday night.
Dual Mechanical Ltd. took gold for Mechanical Contractor up to $3 million for the Annacis Wastewater Centre and Solid Rock Steel Fabricating took top honours for manufacturer and supplier for the Capilano Cliffwalk project.
The Annacis Wastewater Centre was also a project winner for Mechanical Contractor for up to $3 Million and the Surrey Centre Library took gold for General Contractor $15 Million to $40 Million.
It was all part of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s 24th annual Awards of Excellence gala Wendesday. The association’s Gold Awards went to 13 winners for their use of special techniques and procedures, new materials and additional artistic or innovative features on their projects.
“The Gold Award winners are truly leaders in the industry and great examples of world class projects around the Province built by VRCA members,” said Keith Sashaw, Vancouver Regional Construction Association President. “We are very proud to celebrate the exceptional growth of our industry over the last 24 years.”
The total number of entrants and projects considered in this year’s competition is up over last year, rising from 218 entrants and 43 projects in 2011 to 267 entrants and 67 projects in 2012. Over the 24 years the competition has been in place, the value of the projects has grown tremendously, and the total value of projects considered in this year’s competition represented $2 billion of construction throughout B.C., up 60 per cent from last year’s total, showing that the impact of the 2009 economic downturn on the competition is over with many top quality projects in contention.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a prestigious Life Time Achievement Award to Grant McMillan, President of the Council of Construction Associations (COCA), an organization that represents the interests of sixteen construction associations in B.C. with respect to all WorkSafeBC issues.Grant’s career has included university teaching, five years as the Chair of the Construction Safety Association of B.C. (CSABC) and sixteen years of senior management at the Workers’ Compensation Board.
“Grant McMillan’s dedication to the safety of our industry over the last two decades has been immeasurable,” said Sashaw. “The Awards Committee recognized Grant’s significant contribution to construction in our province by awarding Grant McMillan the prestigious Life Time Achievement Award.”
This year’s General Contractor over $40 million Award winner was Graham Design Builders for its work on the Kelowna and Vernon Hospitals P3 Project. The VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre project took home two awards, Chairman’s Trade Award to Keith Panel Systems Co. Ltd. and the new Sustainable Construction Award to Ledcor Construction Limited.
2012 VRCA Awards of Excellence Winners:
Life Time Achievement Award
Grant McMillan
General Contractor up to $15 Million
Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd. Project: Ocean Concrete – Granville Island Plant, Dock Replacement
General Contractor $15 Million to $40 Million
Stuart Olson Dominion Construction Ltd. Project: Surrey Central Library
General Contractor over $40 Million
Graham Design Builders Project: Kelowna and Vernon Hospitals P3 Project
Electrical Contractor up to $2 Million
Houle Electric Ltd. Project: Thompson Rivers University House of Learning
Electrical Contractor over $2 Million
F & M Installations Ltd. Project: BC Hydro GMS Units 6-8 Capacity Increase Project
Mechanical Contractor up to $3 Million
Dual Mechanical Ltd. Project: Annacis Wastewater Centre
Mechanical Contractor over $3 Million
PML Professional Mechanical Ltd. Project: Fort St. John Hospital
Chairman’s Trade Award
Keith Panel Systems Co. Ltd. Project: VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre
President’s Trade Award
Coastal Mountain Excavations Ltd. Project: BC Hydro Bridge River Generating Station Townsite Redevelopment
Manufacturer & Supplier
Solid Rock Steel Fabricating Co. Ltd. Project: Capilano Cliffwalk
Heritage Restoration Award
Scott Construction Group Project: Hotel Georgia Restoration
Innovation Award
Panther Constructors Ltd. Project: BC Place Soccer Screens
Sustainable Construction Award
Ledcor Construction Limited Project: VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre
Landmark Award
PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. BC Place Roof Replacement & Facility Upgrade
In addition to the Gold Awards for project specific excellence, awards were also presented to members and individuals for outstanding accomplishments and to recognize innovation and commitment to safety.
Member of the Year Award
Scott Construction Group
Educator of the Year
Ron Coreau - VRCA
Outstanding Woman in Construction Award (sponsored by Super Save Group and Canadian Construction Women)
Jackie Trach - PCL
U40
Heather Armitage – Active First Aid Inc.
Construction Workplace Health and Safety Award (sponsored by WorkSafe BC)
Pacific Blasting & Demolition
With more than 700 members, VRCA is British Columbia’s largest and most inclusive regional construction association, representing union and non-union, general and trade contracting companies, manufacturers, suppliers and other professionals throughout the Lower Mainland from Hope to Whistler.