They were noted for solving a 38-year-old mystery, boosting the community spirit and for exemplary business service to the city.
The Business Excellence Awards hosted by the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce at the Penticton Lakeside Resort recognized the hard work of people and businesses in the community.
Cherry Lane shopping centre was awarded Business of the Year for their partnerships with non-profit groups, local charities and organizations. As well, they were recognized for their innovative marketing.
“It was phenomenal being recognized,” said Kim Lawton, marketing director at Cherry Lane. “This was such a great year to win this because the staff, managers and tenants wanted to step up in 2010 and really be a part of the community. With the community centre being closed we really wanted to step up and offer the community a place they can go where it was fun, has a good energy and a happy atmosphere.”
Cherry Lane was packed with events last year from hosting a Halloween Spooktacular, an Easter event, Literacy Day, several fundraising walks and allowing a number of non-profit groups to use the space to bring awareness of their cause to the community free of charge.
“We also wanted to keep people shopping locally, so by having so many events here we had something for everyone who comes to Cherry Lane,” said Lawton.
The Community Booster Award went to Peter Bros. Construction Ltd, who helped fill the stands in the South Okanagan Events Centre during the Penticton Vees Charity Challenge. Peter Bros. purchased 837 tickets to push the attendance numbers to 4,000. In turn, local charities cashed in on $34,000. Over a dozen charities benefited and those in attendance at the game donated six truck loads of food for the Salvation Army Food Bank. Peter Bros. is also the key sponsor for the Peach Festival Parade and have implemented strategies that work toward improving air quality and reclaiming the natural resources used in their day-to-day operations.
Andy Oakes, president of Okanagan Hockey School, was awarded the Business Leader of the Year award. Okanagan Hockey School announced in September they have a $13.6 million economic impact on the South Okanagan yearly. This year the school expanded with the addition of a female midget program to the hockey academy and hosting female camps. Oakes is currently developing a winter program for Australia and New Zealand to capitalize on their summer season and build much-needed winter tourism for Penticton.
In the Unsung Hero category, Steve Toth and Kevin Aschhoff were awarded for their part in recovering a vehicle from the bottom of Skaha Lake. The pair discovered human remains in the vehicle that RCMP identified as belonging to a young woman who disappeared 38 years ago.
The Downtown Penticton Association was awarded with the Hospitality/Tourism Business Award for their tireless efforts on making downtown a place for residents and visitors to come together as one. DPA executive director Barb Haynes was recognized as being instrumental by going above and beyond to organize events such as the Santa Claus Parade, Downtown Community Market and the Downtown Ambassador Program which acts like a moving information centre in the summer.
Other award winners include Hoodoo Adventure Company for the Home Based Business Award, Structurlam Products Ltd. for Industrial Business Award, Peach City Runners and Adventure Sports for Retail/Service Business Award, Bodies on Power for New Business Award, Samantha Wright for Young Citizen of the Year and Cam Lawton of Bayleys Brew ha ha for Young Entrepreneur.