Awards
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The District has been fortunate to be the recipient of many prestigious awards over the years.
American Water Works Association
Distribution and Plant Operations Division Best Paper Award for a paper Andrew Wood, Municipal Engineer produced titled "Assessment of Water Main Break Data for Asset Management" which was published in the July 2006 issue of Journal AWWA.
Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals
Adam Rieu, Youth Programmer is the recipient of the Communitas award for "Individual Participation in Organization's Program" for his "Worms and Environmental Education and Awareness Program." Communitas is a Latin word that means people coming together for the good of a community. Communitas is inspired by the vision of a better world and is an attempt to do something about it through volunteerism, investment and ethical, sustainable business practices.
Bicycle Advisory Committee
2005 Gold Spoke award received by the Leisure Centre in the Business Category for the design and installation of bicycle parking at the facility.
British Columbia Community Achievement Award
Mike Murray, retired General Manager: Community Development, Parks & Recreation Services is the recipient of this award which celebrates British Columbians who go above and beyond in their dedication and service to others and who devote time and energy to making their communities more caring, dynamic, beautiful, healthy, and unique.
British Columbia Fire Service
Training Achievement Award presented to Assistant Chief, Howard Exner. This award is based on the impact of the training achievement beyond the individual's department/organization, extent of the individual's personal involvement in the work, demonstrated initiative, creativity, quality and dedication.
BC Landscape & Nursery Association
Environmental Stewardship award for the Community Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (CERI) which is a program developed jointly by the District of Maple Ridge and ERA Ecosystem Restoration Associates, directing millions of dollars in urban forest benefits at minimal or no cost to the local taxpayer.
British Columbia Parks & Recreation Association
The BCRPA "Facility Excellence Award" was given to the Greg Moore Youth Centre. This award recognizes excellence in facility concept, design development, maintenance or operation. Award winners demonstrate outstanding innovation which has made, or could make, significant impact in the Recreation and Parks field.
Canadian Association of Chiefs' of Police (CACP)/Motorola®
CACP/Motorola® Excellence in Emergency Preparedness award was given to the District of Maple Ridge and the City of Pitt Meadows by a committee of representatives from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, the Emergency Medical Services Chiefs of Canada and the Canadian Association of the Chiefs of Police. The CACP/Motorola® Excellence in Emergency Preparedness award was presented for the communities' joint Evacuation Plan that incorporates the use of GIS technology which will enable emergency responders to evacuate citizens in a timely manner.
Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators
Education award for its highly participative business and financial planning model that involves input from citizens, employees and Council, ensuring that priorities are carefully mapped and planned out. It was noted at the conference that the award-winning practices of Maple Ridge could make a difference in communities right across the country.
Environmental award in recognition of the innovative Watershed Mapping and Information Management Project initiated by the District's Planning Department.
Workplace Literacy and Learning award, in the Organizational Commitment to Creating a Positive Learning Culture for all Employees category, honours towns and cities that have shown leadership by promoting lifelong learning in the workplace.
Canadian Association of Certified Planning Technicians
Ann Edwards, on behalf of the District of Maple Ridge, received the "CACPT Merit award for Municipal Employer of the Year." This award recognizes excellence by Planning Technicians and is an opportunity for CACPT to highlight the specialized skills and abilities of our members, and promote the fact that they are working across Canada in both the private and public sectors in a variety of settings.
Canadian Contractor
Top Five Most Renovator - Friendly Cities in Canada (February/March 2009) - Friendly Cities - Maple Ridge has been named one of the "Top Five Most Renovator- Friendly Cities" in Canada by Canadian Contractor magazine, Canada's leading authority for renovation and building professionals. Maple Ridge is the only city in British Columbia to be recognized by the Canadian Contractor ranking.
Canadian Home Builders Association
Certificate of Recognition award in support of the Portrait Homes Development, winners of the Provincial "Golden Georgie" for innovative and superior construction/development.
Canadian Institute of Planners
Planning Excellence Award (2009) - The Canadian Institute of Planners awarded the District of Maple Ridge an Award for Planning Excellence in the City Planning category for the Maple Ridge Town Centre Area Plan. The area plan was chosen for the award out of over 40 submissions from across Canada.
Communities in Bloom
4-Bloom rating in the 2004 Communities in Bloom National Competition and was awarded a special mention for Memorial Peace Park. In 2003 Maple Ridge achieved a 4-Bloom rating and was awarded a special mention for landscaped areas.
Community Energy Association
Award in the Corporate Operations category from the Community Energy Association's 2010 Energy & Climate Action Awards, for energy efficiency upgrades to the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre and an innovative approach to information services (IT).
Fraser Basin Council
Sustainability award for being one of the top five environmental leaders in recognition of the Stream Mapping Project.
Government Finance Officers Association
Canadian Award for Financial Reporting - In order to receive this award, a government unit must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized annual financial report, whose contents conform to program standards. Such reports should go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles and demonstrate an effort to clearly communicate the municipal government's financial picture, enhance an understanding of financial reporting by municipal governments and address user needs. This is the District's twenty-first consecutive award.
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award - In order to receive this award, a governmental unit must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as an operations guide, as a financial plan, and as a communications device. This is the District's fourth consecutive award.
Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting - In order to receive this award, a government unit must publish a Popular Annual Financial Report whose contents conform to program standards creativity, presentation, understandability, and reader appeal. This is the District's fifteenth consecutive award.
Outstanding Performance/Achievement Award - The award recognizes Maple Ridge having been awarded the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting for 10 consecutive years. Jacob Sorba, Director of Finance, was the first recipient.
Heritage Commission
Heritage Landscape award to Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks & Leisure Services for the Maple Ridge Golf Course at 20818 Golf Lane.
Hermes Creative Awards
Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional and emerging media that recognizes outstanding work in the industry. Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. There were approximately 3,700 entries from a number of countries. Platinum awards are presented to those entries judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals to be among the most outstanding entries in the competition. Gold award winners are judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm.
Platinum Awards in the Publications/Annual Report category for:
- 2010 Citizens Report
- 2008 Citizens Report
- 2007 Citizens Report
Citizens Reports speak to the previous year's accomplishments, future goals, and includes performance measurements. Each report is designed in such a way as to make it attractive to the eye, easy to read, informative and to supplement other traditional means of delivering information to the community.
Gold Awards in the Communications Campaign category for:
- Town Centre Investment Incentive Program. Launched in 2012, the Town Centre Investment Incentive Program was developed to encourage and accelerate private sector investment in Maple Ridge's Town Centre.
- 'Vote - It's Important' initiative. In 2008, Maple Ridge joined forces with neighbouring communities to pursue a more vigorous media campaign and bombarded the public in a more aggressive manner with reference to their rights and responsibilities to vote, with the ultimate goal of increasing voter participation.
Maple Ridge 2003 Santa Claus Parade
Overall Crowd Favourite and Best Mascot. The Grinch and Yo-Yo along with volunteers from CUPE 622 with the District of Maple Ridge netted first prizes for their float.
MarCom Awards
The MarCom Awards is an international competition for marketing and communication professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of marketing and communication programs and print, visual and audio materials. The competition has grown to perhaps the largest of its kind in the world. There were almost 5,000 entries from several countries around the world. Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. Platinum awards are presented to those entries judged to be among the most outstanding entries in the competition and these winners are recognized for their excellence in terms of quality, creativity and resourcefulness. Gold awards are presented to those entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm. Honourable Mention certificates are granted to those entries that meet the expectations of judges.
- Platinum Award in the Marketing/Promotion Campaign/Special Event category for REIN Western Canada Field Trip, May 13, 2011.
- Platinum Award in the Communication Plan category for the 'Downtown Enhancement Project' Communications Plan.
- Platinum Award in both the Design/Annual Report and Annual Report/Government categories for the 2008 Citizens Report.
- Gold Award in the category of Marketing/Promotion Campaign/Promotion Materials for the 'Invest Maple Ridge' campaign.
- Gold Award in the category of Annual Report/Government for the 2010 Citizens Report and the 2007 Citizens Report.
- Gold Award in the category of External Communication Program for the 'Vote - It's Important' initiative.
- Honourable Mention in the category of Ads/Advertising Campaign for the Town Centre Investment Incentive Program.
- Honourable Mention in the category of Marketing/Promotion Campaign/Promotion Materials for the 'Invest North Fraser' campaign.
- Honourable Mention in the category of Design/Annual Report for the 2007 Citizens Report.
Municipal Advisory Committee on Accessibility Issues
Accessibility Award to the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre for their commitment to making the centre welcoming and accessible for all individuals. MACAI recognizes businesses and individuals who make an outstanding effort to support individuals with disabilities.
Provincial Youth Week Award
Our Youth Councils (Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows) won this award which is given to individuals or groups in recognition of their outstanding community service.
Real Estate Investment Network
REIN 2010 '#5 Top Canadian Investment City' - The Real Estate Investment Network (REIN) recently named Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows '#5 Top Canadian Investment City'.
REIN (2009, 2010 & 2011) '#2 Top BC Investment Town' and 'the place to live for lifestyle' - Maple Ridge was named one of the Top BC Investment Towns based on Key Economic Fundamentals.
Smart Growth on the Ground
Smarty Award (April 2009) - Maple Ridge was the first community in British Columbia to engage in the Smart Growth on the Ground program in partnership with the Design Centre for Sustainability at UBC, the Real Estate Institute of BC, and Smart Growth BC. The program has led to substantial policy and regulatory changes in support of a sustainable downtown area in Maple Ridge.
Society for Children and Youth of BC
Child and Youth Friendly National Award jointly awarded to Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. This award recognizes communities and groups who improve the safety and well being of children. The project promotes children and youth friendly communities through motivating and supporting community-based action in an effort to make changes in attitudes, physical environment, and policy environment.
Union of BC Municipalities
The UBCM Community Excellence Awards program encourages local governments to showcase best practices that rise above others with vision, creativity and teamwork, and that furthermore can be a model for other municipalities.
- Best Practices, Website for having produced an outstanding website and demonstration of leadership and innovation.
- Best Practices, Annual Reporting for having produced an outstanding 2003 Citizens Report.
United Way
Award of Excellence - The District received the much-coveted award because 2010 was the seventh consecutive year that the District's employee campaign achieved United Way "Gold" status. Maple Ridge is proud to announce that employees raised over $31,000 during this year's United Way fundraising effort.
VIATec Technology
Online Strategy of the Year award for the District website which was recognized for the creative usability, innovative design, and results achieved from the underlying communication strategy.