VRCA Silver Awards winners showcase construction excellence

The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) has announced its list of Silver Awards of Excellence winners. The Awards of Excellence recognize the construction industry’s outstanding companies, projects and individuals from across British Columbia.

This year, 43 Silver Award winners were selected in 14 project categories for their use of innovative techniques, new materials and/or exceptional project management. One Silver Award winner from each category will be chosen as the Gold Award winner at the 28th Awards of Excellence Gala on Oct. 5 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West.

"We received more than 150 submissions this year from 45 projects, demonstrating the health of the construction industry," said Tony Everett, chairman of the Awards of Excellence Committee.

"The total value of the submissions was in excess of $1.3 billion, a significant increase over last year’s submissions which totaled $500 million, and a sign that the many projects that were in progress last year are now substantially complete."

Everett said he noticed this year the theme of technology and sustainability was front and centre, something that has been evolving over the years to make projects more efficient. He also noticed this year’s projects were a powerful demonstration of how wood can be used in both beauty and structure more than even before.

"I think the industry is more productive and efficient than it has ever been," he said.

Locally, in Vancouver, dense urban construction has also spurred innovation in safety, security and traffic management. Companies have also become savvier at taking care of construction waste.

"Most of these silver winners, when you walk into the building, you know you are looking at something really great.

"We had the toughest time as judges. We visit all the sights or have them come in and do visual presentations."

Over the years, Everett said he’s noticed that the presentations have gotten more sophisticated and competitive.

"They are absolutely first class," he said. "And the sites are safer and cleaner and quality of construction is very high."

Everett also noticed that many entries were reconstruction or modification of an older building rather than ground up construction. He said that the VRCA has considered separating the two into different categories.

Everett said it was also encouraging this year to see more women in senior management roles on the projects.

Project award categories are numerous and recognize general and trade contractors, mechanical and electrical contractors, and manufacturers and suppliers who deliver an entire project or a component of a project according to specific financial and non-financial criteria.

Covering industrial, commercial and institutional projects, this year’s submissions were a mix of new builds, renovation projects, and mixed-use construction.

This year, three new value tiers were added within existing Trade, Mechanical and Electrical Contractor project categories to recognize the increased number of high value projects within those categories. While the bulk of Silver Award winning projects are located in the Lower Mainland, submissions were also received for projects completed in Whistler, Victoria, Kelowna, and Fort Nelson.

All submissions received were for projects that have been completed in the past two years.

"This year’s Silver Award winners show that the industry is embracing more innovative practices when it comes to environmental sustainability," says Fiona Famulak, president of the VRCA.

"We saw an increased use of wood across many categories, both as a building material and also in innovative design features. Many winners have shown impressive sustainable practices demonstrating the latest mechanical and electrical energy efficient technologies as well as geo-thermal and solar efficient technologies."

In addition to announcing the 14 Gold Award winners at its gala on Oct. 5, the VRCA will present Outstanding Achievement Awards to companies and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the industry and to community.

Outstanding Achievement Awards include Lifetime Achievement, Education Leadership, Outstanding Woman in Construction, Innovation and Productivity, U40 Excellence in Construction and Construction Workplace Health and Safety.

Registration to attend the 28th Awards of Excellence on Oct. 5 can be accessed at vrca.bc.ca/vrcaawards. For more details on the winning projects make sure to check our Silver Awards feature  on Oct. 19.

Vancouver Regional Construction Association Silver Association Silver Awards of Excellence 2016 Winners

The following is a full list of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association Silver Awards of Excellence 2016 winners. The winning company is listed followed by the project it is being recognized for:

General Contractors Over $45 Million

Bird Construction Group — UBC Student Union Building

Ledcor Construction Limited — A-B Connector

Ledcor Construction Limited — Marine Gateway

General Contractors $15 to $45 Million

Axiom Builders Inc. —Audain Art Museum

EllisDon Corporation —Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre

Graham Construction and Engineering LP — Main Street Station Renovations

Mierau Contractors Ltd. — The View

General Contractors Up to $15 Million

PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. — YVR Expedited Transfer Facility – Package 2 (ETF2)

Scott Construction Group — Wesbrook Community Centre

Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd. —Kinder Morgan Vancouver Wharves Bulkhead Wall

Trade Contractors Over $8 Million (Director’s Trade Award)

Gallagher Bros. Contractors Ltd. — A-B Connector

Jangho Curtain Wall Canada Co. Ltd. — 745 Thurlow

Keith Panel Systems Co. Ltd.  — Marine Gateway

Trade Contractors $3 to $8 Million (Founder’s Trade Award)

JSV Architectural Veneering & Millwork Inc. —UBC Student Union Building

Southwest Contracting Ltd. — Vancouver House Buildings 1 & 2 Phase 1

Wesbridge Steelworks Limited — UBC Student Union Building

Trade Contractors $1 to $3 Million (President’s Trade Award)

Horizon Landscape Contractors — McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport

Pocklington Building Systems Ltd. — Audain Art Museum

Whitemud Ironworks Limited — YVR Expedited Transfer Facility – Package 2 (ETF2)

Trade Contractors Up to $1 Million (Chairman’s Trade Award)

European Touch Hardwood Floors Inc. — Audain Art Museum

Maxwell Floors Ltd. — A-B Connector

Seagate Consulting Ltd. — Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre

Mechanical Contractors  Over $8 Million

Division 15 Mechanical Ltd. — UBC DES Phase 6-9 DPS & UBC DES Phase 6&7 ETS

Division 15 Mechanical Ltd.  — Pacific Centre Mall – Sears Redevelopment

Fred Welsh Ltd. — MNP Tower

Mechanical Contractors  $3 – $8 Million

Division 15 Mechanical Ltd. — Alexandra District Energy Utility Phase 3

Keith Plumbing & Heating Co. Ltd. — Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre

Trotter & Morton Building Technologies Inc. — UBC District Energy Centre

Mechanical Contractors Up to $3 Million

Clairmont Mechanical Contracting Ltd. — Crofton Dining Hall & Athletic Centre

PML Professional Mechanical Ltd. — The View

Trotter & Morton Building Technologies Inc. —UBC Alumni Centre

Electrical Contractors Over $8 Million

Bridge Electric Corp. —Pacific Centre Mall – Sears Redevelopment

Mott Electric General Partnership — Marine Gateway

Western Pacific Enterprises GP — Evergreen Rapid Transit Project

Electrical Contractors $2 – $8 Million

F&M Installations Ltd. — 242KU XLPE Transmission Cable System Supply & Installation

Houle Electric Ltd. — Northern Rockies Regional Recreational Centre

Status Electrical Corporation — The View

Electrical Contractors  Up to $2 Million

Alpine West Systems Electrical — Audain Art Museum

Canem Systems Ltd. — McCarthy Tétrault Law Office

Trotter & Morton Building Technologies Inc. —UBC District Energy Centre

Manufacturer and Suppliers

Daikin North America LLC  — MNP Tower

Structurlam Products LP — UBC Student Union Building

Western Archrib —Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre