14 - Friday, February 28, 1992 - North Shore News HOME & GARDEN B.C. builders take top honors at CHBA § national convention BUILDERS FROM across B.C. were recognized for ex- cellence at the recent Canadian Home Builders’ Associa- tion (CHBA) National Convention in Winnipeg. CL LEE v7 lie ES 390 Kings Ra. East, NV, built circa 1910. The Ward house THE WARD House is a designated heritage home in the North Lonsdale historic district, and is one of a number of early homes in good condition that remain from the first wave of de- velopment in the area. This home is situated at a pro- minent corner location of Kings Road East and St. Andrews Avenue. It is like other heritage homes in the area in which some NORTH SHORE HERITAGE of the original landscape features still remain. These include a large black walnut tree and hazelnut trees along the southern edge of the property that are not visible in this drawing. The original owner, William Edward Ward, was an avid gardener and horticulturist. He was a North Vancouver pi- January saw housing NATIONALLY, JANUARY’S housing starts dropped to a seasonally ad- justed annual rate of 146,000 units, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Starts were 12.6% lower than the revis- ed seasonally adjusted rate of 167,000 units in December. “This is the third consecutive drop of starts and the lowest level Of production in nine months,”’ commented Gilles Proulx, chief economist in CMHC’s market analysis centre. A major part of the decline can be traced to the end of the construction support program in Quebec at the end of 1991. Starts also dropped in most other provinces, a sign of the sluggish recovery and low con- sumer confidence. “The January level is consistent with CMHC’s recent forecast of 180,000 units in 1992, featuring a slow first quarter and stronger ac- tivity as the year moves ahead,’’ Proulx noted. “In coming months, housing markets should get further sup- port from the recent decision to allow CMHC to insure 95% mor- tgage financing, the continuing impact of low interest rates. As the economy improves the housing market should also strengthen,”’ he added. Single family and multiple unit construction both posted month over month declines. Urban single detached starts decreased 6% to oneer resident who was born in .St. Johns, Quebec, and came to Vancouver in 1890 when he joined the Canadian Pacific Railway traffic department. He retired in 1932 as claims clerk after 40 years of service with the company and lived in this home from 1910 to 1945. His home was built in the Craftsman style of the time with squared porch columns. It also has distinct Tudor Revival ele- ments that add to its charm. — By Dorothy Foster Starts drop 63,000 units while multiple con- struction dropped 18% to 58,000 units, seasonally adjusted. Urban starts activity was sharp- ly lower in Quebec, dropping 20% to 36,000 units from December due to the end of the provincial construction support programm. Although Ontario starts were down only marginally to 39,000 units, activity in the province has been falling since last July. Starts in British Columbia dropped 15% to 28,000 units mainly as a result of lower condominium activity. All provinces in the Atlantic region reported lower starts, the regional total being only 4,000 units. In contrast, markets in the Prairie provinces saw a modest rebound in January to 14,000 starts: all three provinces posted gains. Achieving top honors was Wesbild Enterprises of Vancouver who took six national Sales and Marketing (SAM) awards in the annual national competition for their Westwood Plateau develop- ment in Coquitlam. This was the first time that a B.C. company had taken six SAM trophies in a competition which draws hundreds of entries from across the country. Wesbild was recognized for the Best Radio Advertising Campaign, Best Newspaper Advertising, and Best On-site Sales Presentation for both signage and brochures. Tony Zappone, who accepted the awards, won Best Sales/Marketing Person for large volume devel- opers. In recognition for finest over- all performance, Wesbild was awarded the prestigious Grand SAM Award. Parkiane Homes of Burnaby, which has single-family subdivi- sions in Langley, Richmond, and Port Moody, was also well repre- sented at the national awards, walking away with two SAM awards for their model homes at Carriage Lane in Langley and Westwood Plateau in Coquitlam. These two recent awards bring Parklane’s total to 12 provincial and national SAM trophies over the last 18 months. in awards recognizing dedica- tion to the housing industry, B.C. Builders also played a major role. Ken Sawatsky, president of Kenorah Construction as well as the CHBA of B.C., won the Ca- nadian Renovators’ Council Award for significant contribution to the Canadian renovation in- dustry. Richard Kadulski, a Vancouver architect who publishes Solplan Review, was awarded the William M. McCance Award in recogni- tion for outstanding contribution to the Canadian housing industry in the technical area. Kadulski_ is also the leader of the B.C. Advanced House Pro- ject, one of the 10 national win- ners selected to build a leading edge demonstration project. In recognition for advancing quality housing through energy- efficient building practice, John Zuk of Kelowna was named R2000 Builder of the Year. Keith Sashaw, executive -vice- president of the CHBA of B.C. was awarded the Dave Stupart Award of Honors in acknowl- edgement of the highest level of dedication, ftoyalty and commit- ment. This award represents the highest recognition that can be presented to an executive officer. In recognition of outstanding success in recruiting members to the association, Rocky Cross of Victoria was recognized as Roof- topper of the Year. “The strong showing from B.C. at these awards ceremonies is a reflection of the industry,’ noted Sawatsky, president of CHBA- B.C. *“*We have been fortunate our markets have remained healthy, as this has resulted in a dynamic and exciting industry in B.C."’ Annual orchid show set THE VANCOUVER Orchid Society is pleased to announce its 16th annual International Orchid Show and Plant Sale being held Saturday, Feb. 29 and Sunday, March 1, at Van Dusen Flora! Hall, West 37th Avenue and Oak Street in Vancouver. The purpose of the Societ~ is to increase public exposu7: to the large variety of orchid flowers and to dispel *1e myth will that they are hard to grow. Last year over 1,500 of the general p:.blic braved the snow to attend the show and the Society hopes to attract more. visitors to the event this year. The show area is 3,000 square feet filled with displays of hundreds of colorful orchid - blooms in a variety of shapes and sizes. Plants and blooms also. be for sale. SPRING S'OME & GARDEN SHOW 25 hore “eect ELFA BASKET SYSTEMS WOODLINES Custom Built Furniture for the home & office Showroom Open Mon-Sat. Custom built closet organizers & mirror doors Eliminate waste, space and mess Create more useable space in any closet INSTALLED OR > 'T YOURSELF - Offer ends March 31/92 member bmi 9-5 CANADIAN CLOSET ‘A family owned business since 1984” 4385 Crown St. N. Van. 986-4263