25th Annual Tommie Awards Sell Out as Housing Starts Up 72%

January 18, 2017

KELOWNA – On January 28, 2017 the Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) Central Okanagan will be holding its 25th annual Tommie Awards. The sold out awards ceremony received a record number of entries this year as 200 finalists will be competing for 39 awards.

The Tommie Awards showcase the industry and has grown into a first class event attracting interest and recognition from beyond the Okanagan region. The Tommie Award has been recognized as a symbol for excellence bringing together the finest industry members and celebrating their achievements and commitment to setting the highest of industry standards.

New Home Honstruction is essential to Kelowna’s economic strength and prosperity. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Senior Market Analyst, Taylor Pardy says, “Housing starts in Kelowna finished the year strong. Overall, the number of new homes that got underway in 2016 exceeded the 2015’s total housing starts by 72 per cent.”

The CMHC Housing Starts Report shows that total housing starts were up to 2,196 for 2016 compared to 1,280 in 2015. This translates into close to 7000 onsite/offsite jobs created in Kelowna, more than $400 Million in wages that show up in purchases across the entire local economy and more than $800 Million in investment value.

Awards range from Excellence in Single Family Detached Home to Excellence in Innovative Architecture/Design and Construction, Best Environmental Initiative in Construction (Residential or Commercial) and more.