The City of Kelowna announced the finalists of the 41st Annual Civic and Community Awards today. The Civic and Community Awards recognize volunteers, artists, athletes and business leaders through 12 categories and 17 awards. The award recipients from each category will be revealed on Wednesday, April 27, as part of the gala ceremony taking place at the Kelowna Community Theatre.
“Kelowna is a great place to live not only because of our surroundings but because of the people who live and work in this community,” said Louise Roberts, Community and Neighbourhood Services Manager. “The awards highlight the residents, businesses and organizations that have made a significant contribution to making our city a better place to live.”
2015 award finalists by category are (finalists are listed in alphabetical order):
Bob Giordano Memorial Award
George Curran
Dennis Richardson
Paul Thiessen
Bryan Couling Memorial Award – Athletic Team of the Year
The Kelowna Grizzlies, Special Olympics Softball Team
The Kelowna Rockets 2014/2015 Hockey Club
The Okanagan Sun Football Team
Female Athlete of the Year Award
Olivia Gran
Kierra Smith
Heather Wurtele
Male Athlete of the Year Award
Jerome Blake
Will Dean
Ryan Moffat
Female Augie Ciancone Memorial Award
Ellie McCarthy
Nicole Hart
Shayla Tyerman
Male Augie Ciancone Memorial Award
Nicolas Reitsma
Parker Simson
Spencer Young
Young Female Volunteer of the Year Award
Jenaya Copithorne
Maya Gay
Kelty Slaney
Young Male Volunteer of the Year Award
Stuart Isherwood
Nicholas Kayban
Myles Mattila
Teen Honour in the Arts Award
Emily Friesen
Lauren Maier
Clara Swan
Honour in the Arts Award
Stephen Buck
Laurie Koss
Rosemary Thomson
Central Okanagan Foundation – Volunteer Organization of the Year Award
Hands in Service
The Kelowna Gospel Mission
Okanagan Chef’s Association
Fred Macklin Memorial Award - Man of the Year Award
Raghwa Gopal
Terry Scott
Alan Strachan
Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Award - Woman of the Year Award
Kathleen Halton
Cathy Jennens
Lorena Mead
Corporate Community of the Year Award
Small /Medium Business
Boyd Autobody & Glass
Oranj Fitness
Rambo Mechanical Ltd.
Large Business
McDonalds Restaurants of Kelowna
Telus
Valley First Credit Union
Champion for the Environment Award
Individual
Gabe Cipes
Michelle Hamilton
Hugh Westheuser
Business
Bouygeus Energies & Services Canada
Unless Market
The Young Male & Female Volunteer of the Year finalists will receive funding towards their post secondary education through the Dillon Thomas Budd Youth Scholarship, sponsored by the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation. Each award recipient will receive $1,000; while each of the four remaining finalists will receive $500.
Tickets for the Award Night are now available, to purchase tickets, please call 250-469-8811.
For more information about the awards, visit kelowna.ca/residents.