August 31, 2015 (Updated October 23, 2015) – The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) recently announced the Gold winners for its 27th Annual Awards of Excellence—an industry event honouring the region’s construction leaders—and three electrical service providers were included among them. Kudos to:

Category: over $2 million
• Canem Systems Ltd. for their contribution to 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron Hangar (Sidney)

Category: up to $2 million
• Status Electrical Corp. for their contribution to UFV Student Centre (Abbotsford)

Category: Safety
• Houle Electric Ltd., in recognition of their “superior” safety record in the category Trade Contractor 200,000 or more personhours

Each year, VRCA recognizes the best companies, individuals and projects in the construction industry (including more categories than just Electrical). Three Silver Award winners are selected in 12 project categories for their use of innovative techniques, new materials and/or exceptional project management. One Silver Award winner from each category is then chosen as the Gold Award winner at the Awards of Excellence event, which took place this year on October 21, 2015.

The Silver Award winners included:

Silver Category: up to $2 million

• Western Pacific Enterprises GP for Cache Creek Landfill Gas Utilization Project (Cache Creek)
• Status Electrical Corp. for UFV Student Centre (Abbotsford), also a Silver Award-winning project & general contractor
• Houle Electric Ltd. for Wood Innovation and Design Centre (Prince George)

Silver Category: over $2 million

• Canem Systems Ltd. for 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron Hangar (Sidney)
• Protec Installations Group for Anvil Centre (New Westminster), also a Silver Award-winning project & general contractor
• Status Electrical Corp. for Vancouver Aquarium Expansion and Revitalization Project (Vancouver), also a Silver Award-winning project & general contractor

In this year’s competition, 128 entrants and 37 projects were considered, says VRCA, adding that the total value of projects considered in this year’s competition represented close to $500 million of construction throughout British Columbia.

The most significant trend seen in this year’s nominated projects was the increased use of wood and steel products and materials, says VRCA. “The judges were wowed by the innovative designs and beauty of exposed wood used in many of the nominated projects,” said Tony Everett, chair of the Awards of Excellence Committee. “We saw more enthusiasm and passion in the nominees’ presentations than ever before. It was great to see so much pride in the industry!”