The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) recognized the finest in B.C.’s construction industry at its 32nd annual Awards of Excellence gala, held Wednesday night at the Vancouver Convention Centre West.
After a hiatus due to COVID‐19 restrictions, the event combined two years of competition, with 237 nominations representing 89 separate projects and over $3.5 billion in construction value.
Forty-eight awards were presented, including 31 Gold Awards for projects, seven Outstanding Achievement Awards and 10 additional Special Recognition Awards in the categories of Environment and Sustainability, Heritage, Innovation, and the Judges’ Award.
"While we of course celebrate the exceptional work of our members, we also celebrate the resilience of our industry,” VRCA president Donna Grant said in a release. “We have so much of which to be proud and an unprecedented bounty of success to celebrate. The level of competition is always increasing, with members who are determined to exceed past achievements, so it’s always thrilling to see how high the bar is set for next year,” she added.
Standout projects included the Clayton Community Centre, which received four Gold Awards; and Air Canada L4 Signature Lounge and Joyce‐Collingwood SkyTrain Station, both of which earned two Gold Awards. Other Gold Award winners included North Surrey Sport and Ice Complex; Undergraduate Life Science Teaching Labs Renewal – Biological Sciences Building Project; G3 Terminal Vancouver West Gate Project; and Pier D Expansion ‐ Phase 1.
Several VRCA member organizations ascended to the gala podium multiple times. In addition to two Gold Awards for projects, Houle Electric also earned the Environment & Sustainability Award; the 2021 VRCA Safety Award for a Superior Safety Record; and the 2021 Innovation & Productivity Award for their Project Planning Services. Western Pacific Enterprises Limited was another big winner, earning 4 Gold Awards in the Electrical Contractors category.
George Ingham, who founded United Power Limited in 1967 and later introduced photovoltaic (solar) energy to the construction industry, was posthumously awarded the VRCA Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes an individual who demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and applies the highest standards and principles in pursuit of excellence in the construction industry.
“The strategies and creative solutions our members used to overcome the unique challenges faced over the past two COVID‐ridden years were truly impressive,” Awards of Excellence Committee chairperson Bob Proctor said in a release. “You may notice more special awards than usual this year, there were so many worthy. We applaud the membership for incorporating sustainable materials and technologies that enhance the quality of projects and drive value to owners. Congratulations to all 2020 and 2021 Award winners.”
2020 Awards of Excellence – Gold Award winners
General Contractors – Tenant Improvement
Graham Construction and Engineering LP ‐ Air Canada L4 Signature Lounge
General Contractors – Up to $20 Million
RAM Construction Inc. ‐ Subzero Cold Logistics
General Contractors – $20 Million to $50 Million
Graham Construction and Engineering LP ‐ Joyce‐Collingwood SkyTrain Station
General Contractors – Over $50 Million
Scott Construction Management Ltd. ‐ Undergraduate Life Science Teaching Labs Renewal – Biological Sciences Building Project
Trade Contractors – Up to $1 Million
Evergreen Demolition ‐ Joyce‐Collingwood SkyTrain Station
Trade Contractors – $1 Million up to $2 Million
Gisborne Industrial Construction Ltd. ‐ Stanton Territorial Hospital
Trade Contractors – $2 Million to $4 Million
Whitemud Ironworks Limited ‐ R.E. Mountain Secondary School
Trade Contractors – Over $4 Million
StructureCraft Builders Inc. ‐ North Surrey Sport and Ice Complex
Mechanical Contractors – Up to $3 Million
Core Mechanical Ltd. ‐ Air Canada L4 Signature Lounge
Mechanical Contractors – $3 Million to $9 Million
Black & McDonald Limited ‐ St. Paul's Hospital ‐ Cooling Tower & Chiller 2 Replacement
Mechanical Contractors – Over $9 Million
Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems (2001) Ltd. ‐ Penticton Regional Hospital Care Tower
Electrical Contractors – Up to $2 Million
Houle Electric Limited ‐ Nanaimo Airport – Terminal Expansion Phase One
Electrical Contractors – $2 Million to $8 Million
Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd. ‐ Swiss Water Coffee Roaster
Electrical Contractors – Over $8 Million
Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd. ‐ Molson and Coors Brewery Peak Project
Manufacturers and Suppliers
View Inc. ‐ International Trade Centre
Environment & Sustainability Award
Houle Electric Limited ‐ Implementation of Photovoltaic Systems Bird Construction Group ‐ TransLink Bike Parkades
Heritage Award
LJH Construction Inc. ‐ Open Outcry Restaurant and Bar
Innovation Award
JK Thermal ‐ Subzero Cold Logistics
2021 Awards of Excellence – Gold Award winners
General Contractors – Tenant Improvement
Jacob Bros. Construction Inc. ‐ East Broadway Building Upgrades and Tenant Improvements
General Contractors – Up to $20 Million
Naikoon Contracting Ltd. ‐ PH1
General Contractors – $20 Million to $50 Million
EllisDon Corporation ‐ Clayton Community Centre
General Contractors – Over $50 Million
Peter Kiewit Sons ULC ‐ G3 Terminal Vancouver West Gate Project
Trade Contractors – Up to $1 Million
Tatras Contracting Group Ltd. ‐ Granville Bridge Rehabilitation
Trade Contractors – $1 Million up to $2 Million
Blackcomb Glass Ltd. ‐ Clayton Community Centre
Trade Contractors – $2 Million to $4 Million
JJM Construction Ltd. ‐ McMillan Dock Removal, Glover Road
Trade Contractors – $4 Million to $10 Million
Pacific Blasting & Demolition Ltd ‐ Viterra Pacific Terminal PAC3 Demolition
Trade Contractors – Over $10 Million
Flynn Canada Ltd. ‐ Pier D Expansion ‐ Phase 1
Mechanical Contractors – Up to $3 Million
Trotter & Morton Building Technologies ‐ North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant ‐ Conveyance Plant
Mechanical Contractors – $3 Million to $9 Million
Black & McDonald Limited ‐ Clayton Community Centre
Mechanical Contractors – Over $9 Million
Modern Niagara Vancouver Inc. ‐ BC Children's & BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre Redevelopment Project
Electrical Contractors – Up to $2 Million
Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd. ‐ Emergency Generator Replacement Surrey Pre‐Trial Service Center (Old Build)
Electrical Contractors – $2 Million to $8 Million
Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd. ‐ Delta Hospital Electrical Upgrade
Electrical Contractors – Over $8 Million
Houle Electric Limited ‐ VGH Operating Room Renewal Project – Fitout, Roofworks and Chiller
Manufacturers and Suppliers
Western Archrib ‐ Clayton Community Centre
Environment & Sustainability Award
JJM Construction Ltd. ‐ McMillan Dock Removal, Glover Road
Heritage Award
Haebler Construction Projects Inc. ‐ Vancouver College Phase 1a & Phase 1b
Innovation Award
Tatras Contracting Group Ltd. ‐ Granville Bridge Rehabilitation LMS Limited Partnership ‐ Vancouver House
Judges Award
Peter Kiewit Sons ULC ‐ G3 Terminal Vancouver West Gate Project Peter Kiewit Sons ULC ‐ Fraser River Big Bar Landslide Remediation
2020/2021 Awards of Excellence – Outstanding Achievement Awards
Lifetime Achievement
George Ingham – United Power Limited
Construction Workplace Health & Safety Innovation
ETRO Construction Limited ‐ COVID‐19 Daily Screening
Safety: Superior Safety Record
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Houle Electric Limited (Trade Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
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Status Electrical Corporation (Trade Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
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Western Pacific Enterprises Limited (Trade Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
Safety: Zero Frequency Injury Rate
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Canadian Turner Construction Company Limited (General Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
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Cape Construction (2001) Limited (General Contractor 100,000 to 199,999 person hours)
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Omicron Canada Incorporated (General Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
Innovation & Productivity
Houle Electric Limited ‐ Project Planning Services
Education Leadership
James Bourget ‐ Zero Energy Buildings, BCIT School of Construction and the Environment
Outstanding Woman in Construction
Andi Duns ‐ Canadian Turner Construction Company Limited
YCL Excellence in Construction
Ellisha Mott ‐ Mott Electric General Partnership
