As the Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) reflects on its 12th awards season, the organization’s CEO Ron Rapp says members and 2021’s finalists and winners, along with next year’s finalists and winners, will feature and be remembered for the extraordinary work that was done under the most challenging circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Held annually, the HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence recognize new-home construction, renovation and design in Metro Vancouver and 37 builders and designers were awarded 55 HAVAN Awards at the recent (April 30) gala event, streamed live from an award finalist’s home in West Vancouver. This is the second year the event was held online due to pandemic-related restrictions.

“It was astonishing to see the resilience of our members and the swift actions they took to cope with COVID-19 and respond to the historic upswing in demand that defied all expectations. It was also great to see member companies and stakeholders from all construction sectors pull together to share information and support each other to ensure everyone could continue working and contributing to the economy and community,” says Rapp noting the residential construction sector represents billions of dollars in wages and investment value for the region.

“HAVAN did a great job – talk about being resilient! How do you do a major award ceremony when you can’t invite anybody [to an in-person event]! They did a great job under trying circumstances, but everyone is looking forward to getting back to normal next year with an in-person gala – it’s a fun night, a great opportunity to talk to people in the industry, and we all look forward to it,” says Kent Sillars, president of one of the gala’s multiple-award winners, Vesta Properties.

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