Taking home Gold: VRCA celebrates awards of excellence winners

VANCOUVER – Innovative safety systems, dedication to the environment, resilience and a commitment to inclusivity were just some of the accomplishments celebrated during the Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s (VRCA) 33^rd annual Awards of Excellence gala on Oct. 26.

A total of 51 awards were presented including 17 Gold awards for projects, nine outstanding achievement awards and 10 special recognition awards for the categories of sustainability, heritage and environment.

“In October 2022, the VRCA embarked on a new three‐year strategic plan that lists celebrating

construction as one of the association’s five key priorities. We have gathered to formally recognize our industry at 33 Awards of Excellence galas, delaying only once in that time due to the restrictions of the pandemic. With an industry that is often far too humble, we see it as our responsibility and sincere honour to bring us all together to celebrate B.C. construction,” VRCA president Donna Grant said in a statement.

“Of the many challenges the judges heard from our members this year, some were new to us: projects delayed and workers having to abandon their hotel rooms in the B.C. Interior to accommodate forest fire evacuees; outdoor workers in Vancouver having to wear respirators due to the heavy smoke; suppliers unable to supply materials because they had changed their business to manufacture PPEs,” added Awards of Excellence committee chairperson Bob Proctor. “One wonders what could possibly be next. Despite these challenges, nothing stops the VRCA members. The number and calibre of projects we saw this year was tremendous; the competition, fierce.”

Several projects received multiple awards including the Heritage Hall Roof Replacement and Partial Seismic Upgrade project in Vancouver which received two Gold and two Heritage awards. The Sortation Centre Buildout ‐ YVR7 Rover project at Vancouver International Airport earned one Gold award and two Environment and Sustainability awards and 155 Water St. in Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood won three Heritage awards.

Peter Hrdlitschka, a 43-year veteran of the Canadian construction industry, won a VRCA Lifetime Achievement award.

“Peter was instrumental in championing sustainability in construction and oversaw many of the industry’s LEED firsts including the BC Cancer Research Centre. This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and applies the highest standards and principles in pursuit of excellence in the construction industry,” a release stated.

A full list of 2022 Awards of Excellence Winners follows below.

General Contractors – Tenant Improvement – Up to $15 Million

Scott Special Projects Ltd. – Heritage Hall Roof Replacement and Partial Seismic Upgrade

General Contractors – Tenant Improvement – Over $15 Million

EllisDon Corporation – Penticton Regional Hospital – Phase 2

General Contractors – Up to $20 Million

Jacob Bros. Construction Inc. – Centerm Container Operations Facility (COF) Building

General Contractors – $20 Million to $50 Million

NAC Constructors Ltd – Sapperton Pump Station Replacement

General Contractors – Over $50 Million

Graham Infrastructure LP in Joint Venture with Aecon Water Infrastructure Inc. – Annacis Island WWTP Stage V, Phase 1 Expansion Project

Trade Contractors – Up to $1 Million

Donald Flooring Contract Sales Ltd. – Northeastern University

Trade Contractors – $1 Million up to $2 Million

Grist Slate & Tile Roofing Inc. – Heritage Hall Roof Replacement and Partial Seismic Upgrade

Trade Contractors – $2 Million to $4 Million

Flynn Canada Ltd. – 825 Nicola (1502 Robson)

Trade Contractors – $4 Million to $10 Million

Solid Rock Steel Fabrication Co. Ltd. – King George Phase B & C (The Hub)

Trade Contractors – Over $10 Million

Whitemud Ironworks Limited – The Post

Mechanical Contractors – Up to $3 Million

Canstar Mechanical LTD. – Sortation Centre Buildout – YVR7 Rover

Mechanical Contractors – $3 Million to $9 Million

All‐Pro Services Ltd. – Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Facility 12 MW Hot Water Expansion

Mechanical Contractors – Over $9 Million

Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems 2001 Ltd. – Royal Inland Hospital Patient Care Tower – Phase 1

VRCA — Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems 2001 Ltd. took a Gold award at the 2022 VRCA Awards of Excellence in the Mechanical Contractors – Over $9 Million category for their work on the Royal Inland Hospital Patient Care Tower –Phase 1 in Kamloops, B.C.

Electrical Contractors – Up to $2 Million

Mott Electric General Partnership – Westland Towers

Electrical Contractors – $2 Million to $8 Million

Bridge Electric Corp. – FC2021

Electrical Contractors – Over $8 Million

Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd. – Edmonton Valley Line LRT

Manufacturers and Suppliers

View Inc. – Pyrrha Headquarters

Environmental and Sustainability Award

Evergreen Demolition Ltd. – Sortation Centre Buildout – YVR7 Rover
Graham Construction and Engineering LP – Sortation Centre Buildout – YVR7 Rover
Ledcor Construction Limited – 825 Pacific Passive House

Heritage Award

Grist Slate & Tile Roofing Inc. – Heritage Hall Roof Replacement and Partial Seismic Upgrade
Jacob Bros. Construction Inc. – Centerm Container Operations Facility (COF) Building
Ledcor Construction Limited – 155 Water Street
Scorpio Masonry BC Inc. – 155 Water Street
Scott Special Projects Ltd. – Heritage Hall Roof Replacement and Partial Seismic Upgrade
Unitech Construction Management Ltd. – Schou Administrative Building
Vintage Woodworks Inc. – 155 Water Street

2022 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE – OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Life Member inductees

Bob Proctor and Jim Bromley

Lifetime Achievement

Peter Hrdlitschka

Construction Workplace Health and Safety Innovation

Ledcor Construction Limited – Excavation Extraction Rescue System (EERS)

Safety: Superior Safety Record

Canadian Turner Construction Company Ltd. (General Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
Cape Construction (2001) Ltd. (General Contractor 100,000 – 199,999 person hours)
EllisDon Corporation (General Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
Gisborne Industrial Construction Ltd. (Trade Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
Modern Niagara Vancouver Inc. (Trade Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
Peter Kiewit Sons ULC (General Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd. (Trade Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)

Safety: Zero Frequency Injury Rate

Graham Construction and Engineering Inc. (General Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
Mott Electric General Partnership (Trade Contractor 200,000 or more person hours)
Scott Construction Group (General Contractor 100,000 – 199,999 person hours)