March 10, 2011

Canadian Construction Association awards salute excellence

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has recognized the outstanding contributions of individuals, companies and associations involved in the non-residential construction industry in its annual national awards.

Recipients are:

• CCA General Contractor Award of Recognition: John Bockstael of Bockstael Construction Ltd. of Winnipeg. A respected and committed member of several boards of directors, Bockstael was lauded for his commitment to high-quality work on a wide range of construction projects. He currently serves as chair of the CCA’s General Contractors Council.

• CCA Trade Contractor Award of Recognition: John Schubert of McCaine Electric Ltd. of Winnipeg. Active in electrical construction since 1979, Schubert worked diligently while president of the Winnipeg Construction Association to advance the human resource needs of the construction sector. He becomes CCA chair in 2012.

• CCA Roadbuilder Award of Recognition: Ron Legere of Industrial Cold Milling of Dartmouth, N.S.

A strong supporter of the road building industry within the province, Legere quickly made a mark at CCA, both on the Road Builders Council and later as a member of the Gold Seal Committee.

• CCA Member Association Award of Excellence: Manitoba Heavy Construction Association.

The association successfully promotes sustainable and dedicated investment in core municipal infrastructure, safe and secure surface transportation systems and strategic investments that support the economy.

• CCA International Business Award: Manitoba Heavy Construction Association. The association played an integral role in conception and creation of the CentrePort Canada in-land port that will provide businesses with cheaper, faster and more efficient access to the North American marketplace. The port has been named one of the top 100 infrastructure projects in North America.

• CCA National Safety Award: Mike Moore and Sons Construction Ltd. of Sault Ste. Marie. Founded in 1989, the general contracting firm is widely respected for its dedication to workplace safety.

It is well on its way to reaching its goal of 1 million accident-free hours. The firm also plays an active role in promoting health and safety at the community and provincial levels, participating in numerous panels and task forces to make recommendations regarding improvements to construction health and safety in Ontario.

• CCA Environmental Achievement Award: Black & McDonald of Scarborough, Ont.

The firm believes that true leadership is demonstrated by proactive efforts to minimize environmental impacts caused by the activities of an organization, even if there are no financial benefits. Its annual environmental strategic plan identifies initiatives, measures performance and provides a clear channel of communication with all stakeholders. Over the past five years, employees have been actively involved in the selection and implementation of the initiatives to gain buy-in to the programs.

• CCA Gold Seal Association Award: Calgary Construction Association. The association has undertaken three major initiatives to build upon its commitment to the Gold Seal program. Hosting the first-ever designated Gold Seal project in Alberta, the association also struck a joint venture with the Alberta Construction Safety Association to promote Gold Seal at the grand opening of ASCA’s new training facilities. This event proved highly beneficial in the promotion of the construction safety coordinator designation. Most recently, the association initiated the “It’s Time to Get Gold Seal Certified” campaign.

• CCA Excellence in Innovation Award: EllisDon of Mississauga, Ont.

In order to build an unconventional building with more than 200,000 square metres of structural slab formwork, a revolutionary formwork system was required as conventional support systems would not meet schedule restraints.

EllisDon came up with an idea to create a moveable formwork platform that could not only move in one direction, but two. Working with Peri Formworks, the result was a proprietary formwork system, reportedly the first of its kind in the world.

The column-mounted system has allowed EllisDon to place and finish more than 4,000 cubic metres of concrete per week, including the associated formwork requirements.

• CCA Community Leader Award: Robert Merkley of Merkley Supply Ltd. of Ottawa. Active in construction association circles, Merkley has also found time to support a number of community organizations, including the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, the Boys and Girls Club Camp Smitty, and the Hospice at May Court. Merkley is also a major contributor to Roger’s House, the Algonquin College Centre for Construction Excellence and the Ottawa Hospital Foundation.

• CCA Person of the Year Award: Walter Woloshyn of EllisDon. Currently the construction company’s senior vice-president, Woloshyn joined EllisDon in 1966 as a field engineer and quickly rose up through the ranks.

In 1991, he was named vice-president responsible for projects in the Toronto area.

The following year, he laid the groundwork for the company’s international business activities. He also was made executive-in-charge of all of EllisDon’s work at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.

In his current position, Woloshyn has provided executive leadership on many of EllisDon’s largest projects. A past chair of the Ontario General Contractors Association, Woloshyn received the association’s 2010 chairman’s award for outstanding contributions to the general contracting industry.

The CCA awards were presented March 9 during the association’s annual conference in Hawaii.

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