News Release Archive
HOUSING/NATURAL RESOURCES--HOME AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED ------------------------------------------------------------ The winners of the 14th annual Nova Scotia Home Awards Program were honored today by Housing and Consumer Affairs Minister Eleanor Norrie in a ceremony at the World Trade and Convention Centre. Also in attendance were Municipal Affairs Minister Sandy Jolly and Natural Resources Minister Don Downe whose departments co-sponsor the awards program. The program provides recognition for achievements and excellence in the fields of residential design, construction and renovation. The 1995 program attracted entries from across the province. The 35 entries were judged in five different categories: home unit design; home construction or delivery innovation; home renovation/rehabilitation; historical restoration; and energy efficiency or alternative energy. Winners in the category of home unit design were William Hyde for the Hyde residence in Halifax and Jan Kaye and Ray Morin for their home on South Main Street, Mahone Bay. In the home construction/delivery innovation category, the award went to the Nova Scotia Home Builder's Association for "Nova Scotia House", a demonstration home constructed in conjunction with the G-7 showcase. Ron Smith won the award in the home renovation/rehabilitation category for a recent College Street project in Halifax. In the historical restoration category, Jim and Darlene Peerless won for their restoration of the "Wickwire House" located in Kentville. In addition to the winners, five projects received an honourable mention and a further five received letters of merit. The submissions were judged by a panel of experts in the field of housing design and construction. The jury panel included representatives from the Nova Scotia Association of Architects, the Canadian Home Builders Association, the Departments of Natural Resources and Municipal Affairs as well as the Department of Housing and Consumer Affairs. "After viewing the submissions, I was touched by the considerable efforts and genuine pride which Nova Scotians take in their homes," said Mrs. Norrie. "I was also impressed by how successful many people have been in blending new building and construction technologies with the design approaches which are unique and very important to the traditional character of our communities will be part of the future." The energy efficiency/alternative category of the awards' program is sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources. This category promotes greater energy efficiency through innovation and new uses of technology. "Our involvement demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and alternative energy by creating awareness through the program," said Mr. Downe. "Winners in this category have been successful because builders of their homes cared about the product they built, and the owners cared enough to demand high quality, energy efficient homes." In commenting on the submissions in the historical restoration category Municipal Affairs Minister Sandy Jolly said "The effective and ongoing preservation of the thousands of older homes in Nova Scotia will ultimately depend on the commitment of private property owners such as those being honored today and their efforts will assist our tourism industry." There were two special presentations in recognition of outstanding contributions to housing initiatives in Nova Scotia. Mrs. Norrie and Luc Menard, provincial director for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, presented a certificate of achievement to Dwight Dorey, chief and president of the Native Council of Nova Scotia. The certificate was presented in recognition of over two decades of work by the council to improve the housing options and conditions for aboriginal people. "The Native Council of Nova Scotia has demonstrated strong leadership in the administration and management of housing for both aboriginal and non-aboriginal citizens of this province over the past 21 years," says Mr. Menard. "CMHC is pleased that this tremendous achievement, which serves as a perfect example of effective partnership in housing, is today being recognized by our provincial housing partner." The second special presentation was made to Bob Bona of Scotian Homes, who was recognized as Builder of the Year. The award was presented in association with the Nova Scotia Home Builders' Association. Acknowledging the NSHBA for its efforts in promotion of the province's residential construction industry Ms. Norrie said "The department is proud to be a member of the association and to support liaison between the industry, government and the consumer in the field of housing." Presenting the award to Ms. Daun Bona, Ms. Norrie said "Mr. Bona and Scotian Homes have demonstrated a long standing commitment to quality, versatility and continuing customer service, all of which have contributed to their success." -30- Contact: Laurel Russell 902-424-4988 trp Jan. 31, 1996 - 12:28 p.m.