Civic & Community Awards
The 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.
Winners of the 50th annual awards were announced on May 8, 2025 at the awards gala at the Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners! Learn more about the top three category finalists below.
Nominations for the 51st annual Civic & Community Awards will open in fall 2025.
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.
50th annual awards finalists:
- Freeze The Fall
- Almendra Osorio - winner
- Nicolas Covaser
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.
50th annual awards finalists:
- Erikka Moojelsky
- Bonnie Gratz
- Tyson Cook (Freida Whales) - winner
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.
50th annual awards finalists:
- Clayton Gall - winner
- Rhonda Hymers
- Jamie Carpenter
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.
50th annual awards finalists:
- Delaney Neukomm
- Kevin Kim
- Ainsley Wood - winner
Bob Giordano Memorial Award - Coach/Sport Administrator of the Year
Awarded to an individual who has contributed significantly to Kelowna through voluntary service to amateur sport, such as coaching or administrative support.
50th annual awards finalists:
- Bill Franzman - winner
- Kristin Smart
- Travis Miller
Bryan Couling Memorial Award - Athletic Team of the Year
Sponsored by Coast Capital
Awarded to the Kelowna based team (amateur or professional) who brought the greatest amount of recognition to Kelowna.
50th annual awards finalists:
- UBCO Mens Golf Team
- Okanagan FC U15 Boys
- OKM Senior Girls Volleyball Team - winner
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.
50th annual awards finalists:
- Kylie Olivia Taylor - winner
- Elizabeth Henne
- Mackenzie Adams
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.
50th annual awards finalists:
- Brent Fikowski
- Jerome Blake - winner
- Elelyon Noa
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.
50th annual Female awards finalists:
- Maya Andruchow - winner
- Rhiannon Spinks
- Ashlyn Swan
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.
50th annual awards finalists:
- Davin Hamm
- Dominic Sodaro - winner
Eliott Vander Horst
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.
50th annual awards finalists:
- Inspired Word Café
- Special Olympics Kelowna - winner
- Cool Arts Society
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.
50th annual awards finalists:
- RBC Wealth Management, Dominion Securities
- Doane Grant Thornton
- Valley First, a Division of First West Credit Union - winner
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.
50th annual awards finalists:
- Beverley Kalmakoff - winner
- EcoCooks
- Kane Blake
Please contact Event Services for more information about the Civic Awards at [email protected].
Category Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
OKANAGAN CENTRAL SCHOOL ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION
