Civic & Community Awards

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The 49th annual Civic & Community Awards

The City of Kelowna's Civic & Community Awards recognize outstanding contributions and achievements in our city each year. The award program includes categories for youth, artists, athletes, volunteers, businesses and volunteer organizations. The 49th annual awards recognize and celebrates those who brought positive recognition to our city in 2023.

The 49th annual Civic & Community Awards finalists will be announced on April 24 at the Civic & Community Awards Gala, taking place at the Laurel Packinghouse.

Nominations for the 50th annual Civic & Community Awards will open in fall 2024.

Award categories
Honour in the Arts Awards

Teen Honour in the Arts
Sponsored by UBC Okanagan
Awarded to a youth who has made an outstanding contribution in Kelowna through cultural and/or artistic efforts.

The Teen Honour in the Arts award recipient will also receive a $500 entrance scholarship for the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies or other selected UBCO faculty.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Ben Anderson
  • Cole Bach
  • Emily Brolund

Honour in the Arts
Supported by ArtsCo
Awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in Kelowna through cultural and/or artistic efforts.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Tyson Cook - Freida Whales
  • Stephen Jefferys
  • Brianna Wells
Citizens of the Year Awards

Fred Macklin and Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Citizen of the Year
Sponsored by Fortis BC
Awarded to a citizen in recognition of their overall outstanding voluntary contributions to Kelowna.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Manik Dhir
  • Pamela Pearson
  • Milt Stevenson

Young Citizen of the Year
Sponsored by Crowe MacKay
Awarded to a young citizen in recognition of their overall outstanding voluntary contributions to Kelowna. 

Finalists in this category will receive funding towards their post-secondary goals through the Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Fund Youth Scholarship.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Tor Broughton
  • Hasan Mohammad
  • Mehak Parihar
Sports Awards

Bob Giordano Memorial Award
Awarded to an individual who has contributed significantly to Kelowna through voluntary service to amateur sport, such as coaching or administrative support.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Cheryl Browne
  • Jan Martens
  • Paul Brain

Bryan Couling Memorial Award
Awarded to the Kelowna based team (amateur or professional) who brought the greatest amount of recognition to Kelowna.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Kelowna Ringette Open A
  • KSS Owls AAA Boys Volleyball team
  • UBCO Heat Women's Golf Team

Athlete of the Year - Female 
Sponsored by the Payton and Dillon Memorial Fund
Awarded to a female athlete (amateur or professional) who brought the greatest amount of recognition to Kelowna.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Mackenzie Adams
  • Malindi Elmore
  • Stefanie Young

Athlete of the Year - Male 
Sponsored by the Payton and Dillon Memorial Fund
Awarded to a male athlete (amateur or professional) who brought the greatest amount of recognition to Kelowna.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Justin Towill
  • Ryder Ritchie
  • Shamus Boulianne

Augie Ciancone Memorial Award - Young Female Athlete
Awarded to the most outstanding female high school athlete in the area of the Central Okanagan. Winner is chosen by the Okanagan Central Schools Athletic Association.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Claire Pasenau
  • Emma Pinkerton
  • Jada Burden

Augie Ciancone Memorial Award - Young Male Athlete
Awarded to the most outstanding male high school athlete in the area of the Central Okanagan. Winner is chosen by the Okanagan Central Schools Athletic Association.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Matthew Harris
  • Nash Semeniuk
  • Tristan McFee
Volunteer Organization of the Year Award

The Central Okanagan Foundation's Volunteer Organization of the Year
Awarded to a volunteer or non-profit organization that has provided outstanding community services, with direct benefits to the city of Kelowna. Services may be related to environment, health, arts and culture, recreation, education, social services, neighbourhood and community improvement.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Enactus Okanagan College
  • Okanagan Forest Task Force
  • RDCO Emergency Support Services
Corporate Community of the Year Award

Corporate Community of the Year
Sponsored by KCR Community Resources
Awarded to a business in recognition of their overall outstanding contributions to the community through initiatives, employee volunteerism and financial or in-kind donations, with direct benefit to Kelowna.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Kelowna Toyota
  • MNP
  • Orchard Smiles Dentistry
Champion for the Environment Award

Champion for the Environment
Sponsored by Peter's, Your Independent Grocer
Awarded to an individual or business whose actions and achievements have shown outstanding environmental leadership or innovative environmental contributions, having a direct benefit on the city of Kelowna.

49th annual awards finalists:

  • Farming Karma Fruit Company
  • Kelowna Yacht Club
  • Tracey Davis

About the awards

The Civic & Community Awards recognize outstanding contributions and achievements in our city each year. The award program includes categories for youth, artists, athletes, volunteers, businesses and volunteer organizations.

Please contact Event Services for more information about the Civic Awards at civicawards@kelowna.ca.

Sponsors

Category Sponsors

                      Central Okanagan Foundation logo      

                   kelowna community resources logo         

Supporting Sponsors

Mark of Distinction logo                                              Castanet logo           
                                                          

OKANAGAN CENTRAL SCHOOL ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION