Acknowledging Kelowna’s Finest Athletes & More

For over 30 years the City of Kelowna has recognized the efforts of outstanding athletes in our community as well as those who give the support and leadership to make it all happen. Kelowna’s Civic and Community Awards are fast approaching with nominations due on Feb. 16 at noon. The span of these awards has grown significantly over the years to include all phases of community life. Fifteen prestigious awards are now given out to honor some of the truly amazing people the City of Kelowna is so proud to have as part of the community.

It all started at the Kelowna Community Theatre in the 70’s as a “Banquet of Champions” awarding medallions to Sport Teams who had won titles at various levels. In addition, the “Bob Giordano Memorial Award” was given to an outstanding volunteer in Sport and the “Augie Ciancone Memorial Award” to the most outstanding high school athlete. From 1972 until 1990 the “Jack O’Reilly Memorial Award” was given out for Juvenile Hockey excellence.

In 1975, the city added its first category outside of the Sports theme inspired by the International Year of Women. It recognizes an outstanding female citizen who has volunteered generously to the well-being of Kelowna. The “Sarah Donalda Treadgold Memorial Award” was given out by City Council during their meeting in Council Chambers. In 1981, the “Athlete of the Year Award” was added in addition to another Citizen’s award open to both sexes. In 1986, this became the “Fred Macklin Memorial Award” specifically open to males so that there was equal opportunity. Sarah and Fred had both been dedicated and hard-working citizens who contributed much to education as well as other important areas of Kelowna’s growing community. The “Bryan Couling Athletic Team Award” was also added this same year.

In 1982, City Council orchestrated a significant change in the nature of how the various city awards were given out. The Banquet of Champions Sports awards and Citizen of the Year Awards were combined with the Arts Council Awards to create one large, higher profile event at the Parkinson Recreation Center. This turned out to be a success and has continued ever since as a combined awards event.

As a tribute to 1985’s International Year of the Youth, the “Young Citizen of the Year” award was added for 1987. This award was split into male and female 5 years later as it became clear there were many deserving young people of both sexes to be recognized. Other awards added were the “Volunteer Organization” in 1999 and the “Anita Tozer” award one year later. In 1999 the venue changed to the Capri Hotel and then to the Grand Okanagan in 2001 to accommodate more guests. The “Corporate Citizen of the Year Award” was the most recent addition for 2006, honouring one of our generous businesses which contribute greatly to the community in a variety of ways. If you know of an individual or group worthy of one of these awards, act fast as time is running out. Nomination forms can be picked up at the Parkinson Rec. Center or Sport Kelowna. Call 469-8467 for more information on this exciting event which takes place on Thurs. April 12 at the Grand Okanagan.

Coming up even sooner is another evening which honors people specifically in the area of Sports, including the athletes, volunteers and service providers for their outstanding contributions. “Community Sports Heroes” takes place this Thurs. Feb. 15 @ 6:30 p.m. at the Ramada. For more information on this call 469-8854 or e-mail okanagan@pacificsport.com