After failing to win in several categories that it was a finalist in at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association awards gala on Saturday evening, True-Line Homes was called to the podium when it mattered the most.
The Central Alberta branch of the CHBA named True-Line its Builder of the Year among large-volume builders, and also its Renovator of the Year.
The Red Deer company also won Awards of Excellence for Best New Multi-Family Project (Townhouse or Duplex Style) Over $225,000 and Best Renovation Project Between $50,000 and $99,999.
True-Line president Phil Neufeld was joined on stage by more than a dozen staff members for each of the best of the year award presentations.
“I’m glad they’re all here and can celebrate with us,” he said, crediting True-Line’s personnel, as well as its trades and suppliers, for the company’s success.
Winning the other major award was Platinum Homes, which claimed Builder of the Year honours in the small-volume category. Platinum also received Awards of Excellence for Best New Home Between $260,000 and $299,999, and Best New Home Between $525,000 and $599,999.
Terry Loewen, a partner in the business, credited his staff, trades, suppliers and customers for the award. Like Neufeld, he made a point of calling a large number of Platinum staff to the stage to share in the moment. The resulting congestion led to the large volume Builder of the Year trophy, which had not yet been presented, being bumped off a table and breaking.
“Sorry large volume, you don’t have a trophy,” joked Loewen.
The other big winners on Saturday included Sorrento Custom Homes, which received Awards of Excellence for Best New Home Up To $224,999, Best New Home Between $375,000 and $449,999, and Best New Estate Home Over $1 million. Falcon Homes Ltd. also claimed three Awards of Excellence: Best New Home Between $225,000 and $259,999, Best New Home Between $450,000 and $524,999, and Excellence in Interior Design for work by Stephanie Fehr, and Gina and Kevin Pardy.
Krest Homes won two Awards of Excellence, one for Best New Home Between $300,000 and $374,999 and the other for Best New Multi-Family Home (Townhouse or Duplex Style) Under $224,999.
Other Awards of Excellence went to Mason Martin Homes for Best New Home Between $600,000 and $674,999, Larkaun Homes for Best New Home Between $675,000 and $749,999, and Bowood Homes for Best New Estate Home Between $750,000 and $999,999.
Bruin’s Plumbing & Heating received the Safety Leadership Award, Henry’s Eavestroughing was named Trade of the Year (small category), and Thermo Pro Insulation and Drywall was chosen Trade of the Year (large category).
The Supplier of the Year was General Appliances Lacombe in the small category and Timber Wolf Truss in the large category, while Service Professional of the Year was Dominion Lending Centres in the small category and The Alberta New Home Warranty Program in the large category.
Individual awards were presented by CHBA — Central Alberta president Kevin Wilkie. Rookie of the Year went to Dwayne Eagleson of Mason Martin Homes, Member of the Year to Lori Erickson of Landmark Homes, and the Gus Bakke Award for outstanding service went to Lisa Buckingham of Trail Appliances.
Among the 540 people at the awards gala was Stephen Amonson, president of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association for Alberta. He stressed the importance of honouring members of the residential construction industry who are innovative and provide new types of housing.
“The awards are about recognizing the hard work, talent and dedication of the individuals in our companies and our association that bring this product to a new level each and every year.”
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com