Best open shop contractors honoured

The first ever Saskatchewan Construction Awards of Excellence were held recently in Saskatoon to celebrate the best open shop contractors in the province.

“We want to profile the significant contribution of the open shop sector in Saskatchewan,” said Karen Low, executive director of Merit Contractors Association of Saskatchewan, which hosted the event.

She said that many people are unaware that open shop contractors make up more than 80 per cent of the province’s construction industry and work on some of the largest projects around.

“We want to bring that to everyone’s attention,” she said.

The Open Shop Contractor of the Year award went to Quorex Construction Services of Saskatoon.

It was presented to a company that was nominated for showing leadership in the open shop industry and striving to create an environment that embodies the open shop philosophy.

The company has been involved with Saskatchewan construction for more than 25 years.

Throughout its history, Quorex has integrated both open shop and union shop subtrades into its projects, and has never had a labour dispute disrupt a worksite.

The company employs more than 100 field staff throughout the year.

“As an open shop contractor, Quorex has been able to consistently deliver high quality, best value projects with the support of a qualified and motivated work force,” said the nomination.

Low said it was nice that a Saskatchewan based-company had earned the award.

“They’re a tremendously popular and competent company,” she said.

The Environmental Achievement Award also went to Quorex Construction Services. The company earned the award for being the general contractor on the renovation of Place Riel Student Centre on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

The $24 million project encompassed 42,000 square feet of renovations to the existing building, as well as a 40,000-square-foot, four-storey addition.

The LEED project was delivered on time and on budget, and Quorex has since incorporated some of the environmental lessons learned on the project into its everyday operations on other sites.

The Project Innovation Award was presented to Graham Construction and Engineering Inc. for restoration and enhancements at the Regina Airport.

The project included resurfacing existing runways, increasing the size of the apron, upgrading signage and installing new traffic control equipment.

Their scheduling was the award winning innovation.

Originally, the project was scheduled to becompleted in the summer of 2013, but Graham finished the work a number of months early.

The project was completed with minimal disruption to passengers and flight schedules, with only a seven day period having reduced passenger loads.

The Small Business Award went to Impact Construction in Dalmeny.

It was founded in 2005 with only three people and has since grown into a full-service Saskatoon-based general contracting and construction project management firm specializing in residential renovation services, disaster restoration and concrete contracting.

Two Employee Recognition Awards were also handed out.

One winner was Ron Boschetti of Thorpe Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Roofing in Prince Albert.

During his career with Thorpe Brothers, Boschetti started out as a field employee, but pursued training and obtained his journeyperson ticket.

He has continued to upgrade his skills and does his best to ensure others in his department can do the same.

The second Employee Recognition Award went to Andy Empey of Impact Construction.

His nomination said he is passionate about ensuring customers have the best possible experience and that he will always go the extra mile just to see the smile on their face.

The awards jury determined that the Community Relations Award would be given to two companies.

The winners were RNF Ventures and Alliance Energy.

RNF Ventures of Prince Albert has been involved with the construction of many of Prince Albert’s significant projects including the Art Hauser Centre, the EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, and the Alfred Jenkins Field House.

They also undertook the expansion of the local food bank and encouraged other subtrades to discount their services, so that a $75,000 project was delivered for less than $20,000.

The company is also involved with youth apprenticeship programs and scholarships.

Alliance Energy, an electrical contractor, won the award for being a supporter of their industry, as well as provincial and local events, and initiatives.

Alliance has provided, donated, or discounted services to many local initiatives, including Regina Transition House, Ranch Ehrlo Sport Venture Library, Souls Harbour Mission House, and Ronald McDonald House.

Low said she was unsure if an awards gala would be held every year and that the board was currently working that out, but one thing is certain.

“Each year, we need to celebrate our successes,” she said.