SURREY — Fruiticana has been honoured as the first ever Premier's People's Choice winner at the Small Business B.C. Awards.
The Surrey-based South Asian grocery store chain won the title by amassing the most public votes in an online contest that had 417 companies nominated in the category.
Fruiticana has grown to 19 stores throughout B.C. and Alberta since opening its first location in 1994. President and founder Tony Singh said this award was particularly meaningful because it was decided by the public. "Our whole idea is to help preserve the Asian culture, but to be Canadian first," said Singh.
WERNER CENTRE CEREMONY
On Feb. 27, the Horst & Emmy Werner Centre for Active Living officially announced its new name with a ceremony and unveiling.
The Werners were longtime residents of the Semiahmoo Peninsula who made an extraordinary legacy gift of $1.7 million to the Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation and in return, the Centre for Active Living was renamed in their honour.
"They didn't have any children or family and just a small circle of friends," said Dale Bradford, the Werners' lawyer and executor of their estate. "I think it's wonderful that their names will live on in the city they called home," he said of the humble, private couple.
White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin talked about the impact the centre has had on the community.
"We're so pleased to have the ongoing support of our residents and partners, like Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation, to keep this facility an integral part of our community," Baldwin said.
PENINSULA CLUB IN THE WORKS
The Peninsula Club of South Surrey has announced that Stuart Olson Dominion Construction Ltd., one of Western Canada's largest builders, has signed on as the club's development partner.
The Peninsula Club, to be located in the South Surrey-White Rock area, will be a comprehensive sports, recreation and family-oriented country club.
Willie Joubert, B.C. vice-president of Stuart Olson Dominion, said, "This is a much needed amenity for South Surrey, which will be widely welcomed - and we are excited to be part of the team."
Mary Manning is chair of the Peninsula Country Club Society.
"Having raised my family here on the Semiahmoo Peninsula, I am particularly proud to be a part of bringing this important family-oriented club to the area," she said. "The Peninsula Club will have a significant impact promoting healthy lifestyles and activities for our members and the community. It is very exciting to announce Stuart Olson Dominion's role in the project."
The Peninsula Club is scheduled to open in 2017 with facilities for indoor and outdoor tennis, squash, badminton and pickleball as well as NHL-sized ice for hockey and figure skating, a spacious fitness and wellness centre, dance and creative arts studios, a business centre, indoor and outdoor pools and more.
SHERK ON OPTOMETRISTS BOARD
An optometrist from White Rock, Dr. Melanie Sherk, has been elected a director on the board of the B.C. Association of Optometrists (BCAO).
Sherk, originally from Ontario, moved to Surrey in 1981 and practiced in Langley and North Surrey prior to opening her own practice in White Rock. Her special interest in sports vision led her to provide vision training to the B.C. Lions Football Club during the 1980s. In 2005, she was named one of the 50 most influential women in eye care - the only one in Canada.
Sherk is the past CEO and president/treasurer of Doctors Eyecare Network, a national network of doctors of optometry.