AWMAC Sounding Board Fall 2015 Publication PDF

Fall 2015
Inside This Issue:
Outstanding
Service Award
Kelowna Yacht
Club Project
Charles P. Allen
High School
Wood Innovation
and Design Centre
Association News
WHEN DESIGN
MEETS ENGINEERING
FALL 2015
What’s inside
4 Message From The President
16
6
6 Outstanding Service Award
2015 Outstanding Service Award Presented
to Stanley R. (Rob) Gustafson
20
8 Association News
Saskatchewan AWMAC Chapter
Welcomes Delegates; Bonnie Gillrie Wins National
Apprenticeship Contest
Cover
10 Feature
Top 40 Woodworks’ Impressive Kelowna
Yacht Club Project
16 Feature
Charles P. Allen High School: An AWMAC Atlantic
Award Winner for Nova Wood Products
20 Feature
Morinwood’s Wood Innovation and Design
Centre a Landmark Building
23 Chapter Reports
Coast-to-Coast Chapter Updates
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Kelowna Yacht Club,
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Photo by Ihor Pona
Contact Us:
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Phone: 403-981-7300
Email: [email protected]
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Fall 2015 www.awmac.com
3
Message From The President
A World of Hardware
www.richelieu.com
‘The key is education’
E
rnst Salzgeber was the President
of AWMAC in 2005, the same
time I became President of
the Ontario Chapter. The annual
AWMAC Convention was in Ottawa
that year and I had the opportunity
to sit with Ernst over coffee in the
Chateau Laurier and talk to him
about AWMAC. As I was beginning
my term as chapter president, I asked
Ernst for his advice to strengthen my
chapter and his reply to me was: “The
key is education.”
If we can educate our students,
members, non-members and the
woodworking industry as a whole, just
think of where our industry could be?
For almost 50 years, Richelieu has passionately
sought out the highest quality, most innovative and
unique products in the world. This experience has
enabled us to offer the most comprehensive and
diversified hardware selection in North America.
The Sounding Board is an excellent
source to educate everyone about
AWMAC.
It reaches out to our active
members, both manufacturers and
associates, and the architecture and
design community across the country.
This issue marks the first time in
recent history that The Sounding
Board will be published twice in one
year. This achievement is a testament
to the fact that AWMAC is actively
growing and now has many events,
industry news, feature projects,
new products, chapter and member
updates to highlight.
As well as The Sounding Board,
Carlo DeFrancesco
If we can educate our students, members,
non-members and the woodworking
industry as a whole, just think of where
our industry could be?
AWMAC publishes the annual
Member Directory and both are
distributed across Canada to members,
architects, designers and companies in
the woodworking industry directly by
mail and at Construction Specifications
Canada’s
national
conference,
RAIC l Architecture Canada’s Festival
of Architecture, IIDEX Canada’s
national design and architecture
exposition,
the
Woodworking
Machinery and Supply Exposition,
4
www.awmac.com Fall 2015
Lunch and Learn seminars, and
chapter events.
As you browse through this issue of
The Sounding Board, you will among
other things read about projects
proudly completed by our members,
see products and services provided by
our partners, and view highlights of
the 2015 Convention in Saskatoon
and activities planned for the 2016
Convention in Charlottetown. You
will also see details of the Guarantee
and Inspection Service provided by
AWMAC and the chapters.
If you learn something after
reading this issue of The Sounding
Board, AWMAC has achieved its goal
to educate.
— Carlo DeFrancesco,
President AWMAC
Depuis près de 50 ans, Richelieu sélectionne avec
passion les produits de la plus haute qualité, les plus
innovateurs et uniques au monde. Cette expérience
nous permet d’offrir la sélection de quincaillerie la
plus complète et diversifiée en Amérique du Nord.
1 800 361-6000
Un monde de quincaillerie
Association news
2015 Outstanding Service Award
Presented to Stanley R. ( Rob) Gustafson
Scott McVittie, retiring AWMAC President, and Jim Taylor present plaque to Rob Gustafson.
“I
am most proud to present
AWMAC‘s Outstanding Service
Award this year to a person who
has worked primarily behind the scenes
in supporting AWMAC in our mission
to develop and promote the use of
AWMAC’s quality standards,” said Scott
McVittie.
“This year’s recipient, Stanley R. (Rob)
Gustafson, Woodwork Institute’s CEO
and secretary, has always considered that
our industry should have only one quality
standard. He has worked tirelessly with
all associations, the latest endeavours
being his tremendous contribution to
Architectural Woodwork Standards,
Edition 2 and its predecessor, to achieve
6
www.awmac.com Fall 2015
this goal. As well, he was instrumental
in creating the cabinet fabrication and
installation handbooks – in both French
and English.”
Rob has been a quiet contributor
to our association for many years. He
started attending AWMAC conventions,
accompanied by his life partner and wife
Joanne, in 2000 and he hasn’t missed
one since. Rob has met and worked with
many AWMAC presidents over this time
and has always been willing to share his
ideas and contribute to the development
of our industry.
Raised in California, he joined his
father’s millwork business at an early
age and eventually became the ‘boss.’
One of Rob’s more notable projects was
the historic renovation of the California
State Capitol building in Sacramento. In
late-1993, he chose to take a different
road in life and became the Woodwork
Institute’s Executive Director.
“So after 36 years in WI, 18 of which
as a volunteer, four years as president,
and 20 years in executive positions,
Rob, on behalf of the Architectural
Woodwork Manufacturers Association
of Canada, we thank you for your
dedicated contribution and efforts that
have assisted AWMAC with our mission
of standards development and quality
assurance,” McVittie said.
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EDGE BANDING
Photos: Saskatchewan Chapter
Photo: Northern Alberta Chapter
T
he Saskatchewan AWMAC
Chapter welcomed delegates
May 27-31, 2015 in Saskatoon
for the 2015 AWMAC Convention.
Several delegates had a blast in
less-than-sunny weather to enjoy the
Dakota Dunes Golf Links. Located
on the historical Whitecap Dakota
First Nation lands at the heights of
the South Saskatchewan River Valley
Basin, it is the provinces only Graham
Cooke, Cooke-Carleton designed
golf property.
The Convention was kicked off at
the Welcome Reception and Partners’
Showcase. One person was the lucky
recipient of LB Distillery card by
visiting all the partners’ booths.
During breakfast we learned about
Attracting and Retaining the Best
people. Learn to tell the story of your
business, select your job ad wording
carefully – don’t use ‘demanding work
environment,’ because who really
wants to work in such a place – and
remember your best recruiters work
for you – your staff.
Then delegates were off to tour
FloForm and Superior Cabinets.
Others toured Solar Gardens
8
www.awmac.com Fall 2015
Bonnie Gillrie, Manitoba and her award
winning cabinet.
Photo: Southern Alberta Chapter
Saskatchewan AWMAC
Chapter Welcomes Delegates
Photo: BC Chapter
Photo: Manitoba Chapter
Association news
learning about succulents…and a
lunch of pizza made in fire ovens!
Many enjoyed a sunny afternoon
for a historical walk of Saskatoon’s
downtown sites and a river boat ride
on the South Saskatchewan River.
A lot of laughs at the Western
Development Museum were had
thanks to Bare N Von Hair’s dancing
lessons…all while we were surrounded
by a to-scale 1910 streetscape.
We also toured homesteaders’
accommodations – houses made of sod
– no millwork required.
We learned about Work-Life – real
ways – that we can incorporate into
our lives including asking the question
“What if I do this, What if I don’t?”
Following the AGM, we enjoyed
a Ukrainian Lunch, then it was off
for tours of a local brewery, Lucky
Bastard.
The President’s Ball honoured
Stanley (Rob) Gustafson, Woodwork
Institute’s CEO and Secretary, with
the Outstanding Service Award, and
Carlo DeFrancesco was welcomed as
the 28th President of AWMAC.
Next year we learned we are headed
to PEI – and remember who wrote
Anne of Green Gables? Yes, Lucy
Maud Montgomery!
Bonnie Gillrie Wins National
Apprenticeship Contest
A
WMAC has been holding
a National Apprenticeship
Contest for more than 20 years.
Each year participating chapters hold
their own contests and the winning
cabinets are shipped to the chapter
hosting the Annual General Meeting and
Conference where they are entered in the
National AWMAC Contest for judging.
In 2015, four chapters, British
Columbia, Northern Alberta, Southern
Alberta and Manitoba, participated.
The project is chosen by the AWMAC
National Apprenticeship Committee and
provided to the chapters. Materials are
donated and custom cut by participating
member firms ready for contest day.
AWMAC volunteers go to the chapter
contests and judge the completed projects.
This year there were 30 contestants in the
four chapters.
All apprentices and/or recent graduates
can compete. Recently graduated
apprentices must enter in a contest held
within one year of their graduation and
may only compete once. Apprentices
can compete more than three times,
in consecutive years. Individuals who
are unable to participate in a formal
apprenticeship program due to lack
of a local program may also compete,
provided they have less than four years
experience.
The National winner, as judged by
Saskatchewan members, was Bonnie
Gillrie from Manitoba. Her plaque was
presented on June 30 along with a cheque
in the amount of $750.00 from AWMAC
as well as a $1,000 credit for the purchase
of woodworking tools.
Fall 2015 www.awmac.com
9
FEATURE
Top 40 Woodworks’
Impressive
Kelowna Yacht
Club Project
10
www.awmac.com Fall 2015
Fall 2015 www.awmac.com
11
Photos: Ihor Pona & Jeremy Brochu
2
015 marks the 70th anniversary for Kelowna Yacht Club, situated in
downtown Kelowna, on Okanagan Lake in the beautiful southern
interior of British Columbia.
The idea for the club was born in 1945; it was incorporated in 1946 with
the first mooring facilities and a boat ramp completed by 1950. The club
officially opened its doors in 1951.
Last year saw a big milestone as KYC – which now offers more than
1,000 slips and boasts more than 1,200 members – moved into its brand
new, 24,000 sq. ft. clubhouse.
The new facility features a public restaurant, offices, classrooms, a
banquet facility, large patio and members’ lounge among others.
Designed by Meiklejohn Architects Inc. with offices in Kelowna and
Penticton, the new Kelowna Yacht Club building features simple, elegant
and distinctly nautical forms, materials and shapes. While the overall
building shape suggests that of a boat, the exposed white-painted steel
structure and clean lines of the upper cladding material contribute a saillike element. The glassed-in main lobby offers a view from the street
through the building to the marina beyond and features a dramatic spiral
staircase leading to the second floor, which acts as the focal point for the
building’s interior.
Sawchuck Developments Co. Ltd. of Kelowna was the general contractor
for the entire project and Top 40 Woodworks of Kamloops, B.C. won the
contract for the GIS millwork. That included the beautiful central spiral
staircase, which, according to project manager/lead builder Jeremy Brochu,
proved to be an exceptionally challenging process fraught with obstacles.
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Brochu is a project manager with Top
40 Woodworks and was charged with
bringing the architects’ vision of this
stairwell to fruition causing him many
sleepless nights and more than a few
headaches along the way.
He says the staircase took four people
more than four months to complete, a far
cry from the optimistic completion date
desired by both client and contractor.
“It was one of those rare and unfortunate
12
www.awmac.com Fall 2015
circumstances where the time frame was
legitimately nowhere near reasonable to
accommodate the scope of the build and,
since the building was already open to the
public with a fully functioning restaurant,
we had to cordon off the work area from
the rest of the building and do our job all
the while trying to disrupt their regular
operations as little as possible. This
proved problematic to say the least as the
staircase is in the center of the building.
The fact that it was also a high profile
project within the community of Kelowna
contributed significantly to the pressure
we felt.”
Other contractors had built and installed
the steel structure for the staircase and
Brochu and his crew were tasked with
framing out the structural skeleton and
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FEATURE
curved maple veneer panels separated by
stainless steel reveals at every intersection
and perimeter. Providing an additional
challenge, since it was only around 70 feet
from the lake, humidity fluctuations made
the site gluing and finishing a concern.
“Wood movement was always at the
top of our minds due to the fact there
was constant exposure to the exterior
environment and there was no way to
eliminate that,” says Brochu.
Because it was such an extensive site
build, the lobby had to be turned into a
small shop equipped with benches, a vast
array of hand tools, a drill press, routers,
a 16” planer, spraying equipment with a
table and chop saw cordoned off outside
the lakeside entrance.
“The number of clamps we had on site
always drew comments,” says Brochu who
added they had to purchase 200 additional
F-clamps to deal with the seemingly
constant clamp-ups. The planer was put
into action in the vacant space next door
to the lobby chewing through endless
lineal feet of maple, a space that also
allowed for finishing of some of the parts
14
www.awmac.com Fall 2015
that were able to come off and be stained
and lacquered before re-installation.
Complicated intersections, transitions
and ever-changing radii due to issues
inherent in the steel structure made for
slow going.
“We had to fit and refine each
individual panel and part to make sure
everything lined up the best it could be,”
he says. “Quality fit and finish was always
our primary goal. It was very painstaking
work so maintaining patience in the face
of pressure was essential.”
Much of the actual finishing work had
to be done with the panels in place, so
they installed the stainless steel reveals
first with the factory plastic coating still
in place to act as masking for the stain and
lacquer. The coating had to be removed
very carefully with utility knives after the
job was complete.
“Sawchuck Developments provided
generous assistance, but we had four
primary people on this project and each
brought something essential to the process
and really, there simply wasn’t room for any
more; order of operation was everything
and painting ourselves into a corner was
always a risk. Understandably, there were
significant demands on the team to get it
done and do it right because it is a signature
building for Kelowna. In the end, it seems
we succeeded. The positive feedback from
the architect, client, AWMAC and the
club members on the whole has been very
gratifying,” says Brochu.
Top 40 Woodworks is an AWMACcertified millwork company that originally
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encompass three divisions – Commercial
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Fall 2015 www.awmac.com
15
FEATURE
Photos: Architecture 49
Charles P. Allen High School:
An AWMAC Atlantic Award Winner
for Nova Wood Products
N
ova Wood Products Ltd.,
located in historic Lunenburg,
N.S. – manufacturers of quality
architectural woodwork since 1972 –
recently they put their expertise to work
at the new Charles P. Allen High School
in Bedford, N.S.
The building features an enhanced
‘cafetorium’ – a large room off the main
foyer featuring three-storey, floor-toceiling windows, seating hundreds of
16
www.awmac.com Fall 2015
students for lunch and concerts into a
performance space – a student lounge,
more than 50 learning spaces and two
gymnasiums, one of which is part of a
community centre, that offers municipal/
community programs and services.
Outside the school, there is a full-size
artificial turf sports field with stadium
lighting.
The building is built to be energy
efficient and meets LEED Gold
specifications. Charles P. Allen High
School is designed for 1,200 students in
grades 9-12. A driving factor in this new
school was to incorporate 21st century
learning and new trends in education, and
to capitalize on the fact that every space
is a flexible learning space with the ability
to rearrange furniture, control light and
temperature, and have breakout spaces
for learning outside the classroom.
Quite a challenging project, but Nova
Fall 2015 www.awmac.com
17
FEATURE
The Atlantic Chapter invites you
to join us in beautiful PEI
2016 AWMAC
CONVENTION
June16-18, 2016 Charlottetown, PEI
Relax, rejuvenate, renew friendships,
among the jagged red cliffs, peaceful
sandy beaches, and rolling green
hills of Prince Edward Island.
Highlights
One of Canada’s top ranked Golf courses
The Links at Crowbush Cove
Network with Industry Professionals
Wood Products Ltd. was up to the task and
provided all the interior finish carpentry
and architectural casework built to
AWMAC standards and inspected under
the AWMAC Guarantee and Inspection
Service (GIS) program.
Charles P. Allen High School is one
of the largest schools in Atlantic Canada
and Nova’s Project Manager, J.R. Perry,
said it took about a year to complete this
large GIS project.
“We did it in phases…. coordinating
with the other subcontractors, we built
everything at our shop and then shipped
it to the site.”
“Our portion of the project included
wall paneling, reception desks, a library
desk, epoxy countertops for science
labs, solid surface countertops for the
cafeteria, mobile seats, acoustical ceiling
panels, benches, cabinetry and much,
much more.
“If it’s there and it’s made from wood,
18
www.awmac.com Fall 2015
then chances are, we built it.”
Perry says it was a great project,
not only because it is beautiful and
innovative, but also because it was such a
collaborative effort between Nova, PCL
Construction, the general contractor, and
the architects at Architecture 49, which
made for a great working relationship.
“It is always a challenge to take an
architect’s vision and all the important
project details and turn them into reality,”
Perry says. “Sometimes it’s harder than
it needs to be because of communication
issues, but there was none of that here.
There was great collaboration right from
the start and it made everything come
together very nicely.”
This project has been very well
received by the community and Perry
says everyone who had a part in it also
takes great pride in what they have
accomplished.
And their peers agree as well, because
Nova Wood Products earned a Diamond
Award in the GIS category at last year’s
AWMAC Atlantic Awards for their work
at Charles P. Allen High School.
Nova Wood Products operates a
state-of-the-art millwork and casework
manufacturing facility with production
space exceeding 27,000 square feet.
Utilizing the latest in CNC machining,
CAD, estimating and office software,
the company specializes in custom
woodwork and large volume casework for
schools, universities, hospitals and other
institutional and commercial facilities.
Their experienced craftsmen are skilled
in working with products ranging from
exotic hardwoods, veneers, solid surface,
stains, lacquers and the latest in plastic
laminates.
Nova Wood Products is a founding
Charter Member of AWMAC’s Atlantic
Chapter.
Lobster Bake on the Beach
Hike Greenwich National Park
Cooking Lessons at the
Culinary Institute of Canada
President’s Ball—with an Atlantic flair
Anne of Green Gables – The Musical
Supplier Showcase Trade Show
Beautiful Scenery and Fresh Sea Air
Visit www.awmac.com for more information.
FEATURE
Morinwood’s Wood Innovation and
Design Centre a Landmark Building
T
he Wood Innovation and Design
Centre in Prince George, B.C. is
a landmark building for a number
of reasons.
Not only is it one of the tallest
contemporary wood buildings in North
America, but it is also a signature building
for the community and the province
as it positions B.C. as a leader in wood
innovation and design.
The six-storey and nearly 30-metre tall
building created jobs for about 250 people
from 13 different B.C. companies and
is expected to be a catalyst for future tall
wood construction not just in B.C., but also
across Canada, North America and around
the globe.
WIDC uses a wide variety of wood and
wood products from all parts of British
Columbia, including Douglas fir, cedar,
hemlock, pine and spruce as well as
engineered wood products manufactured
in B.C.
Michael Green, lead architect with
Michael Green Architecture called the
building “a global milestone for mass
timber construction.
“The B.C. government has demonstrated
exceptional leadership in the advancement
of ideas that will reshape our cities with
healthier, more energy-efficient and more
climate sensitive building solutions. The
advancement of mass timber and tall wood
buildings requires an evolution of our
building codes around the world.
PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. was
the general contractor for this GIS project
and Morinwood Manufacturing Inc. of
Victoria, B.C. secured the interior millwork
contract for the Wood Innovation and
Design Centre.
Morinwood’s owner, Tom Morin, calls the
project a great example of a public/private
partnership and an innovative project that
required a lot of attention to detail as well as
advanced problem-solving skills.
“We’ve been lucky to partner on several
challenging projects with PCL,” Morin
says. “And Michael Green is such a pioneer
in his field and he pushed everyone on the
team to dig deep and bring his vision to life.
I think the whole team is proud of what we
achieved together.”
Morin apprenticed as a cabinetmaker
and built a career as a project manager and
systems engineer and then general manager
before he launched Morinwood in 2003.
As an early adopter of advanced CNC
manufacturing methods, he also designed
and implemented manufacturing systems
in a number of Canadian shops.
Chris Strasbourgh, Morinwood’s project
manager, says it was a great project that
took nearly eight months from start to
finish and they had anywhere from two
to six people on site.
“We built everything in our shop in
Victoria and then shipped it to Prince
George. It’s about an 8 ½ hour drive from
Victoria, plus a couple of hours on the ferry,
so we hired some local installers to help us
out,” he says.
They had their own site supervisor and
Strasbourgh himself spent a lot of time
there, but it would have been difficult to do
it without some local help.
Among the challenges of the project
was to make sure that everything was true
to the architect’s vision. Another was the
fact that it was meant as a true showpiece
building for wood, which meant the design
demanded that all fasteners were hidden.
“It’s a wood innovation centre, everything
you see is supposed to be wood. It was a
great project, but there were also quite
a few challenges. The building is full of
lumber and really showcases what you can
do with wood,” Strasbourgh says.
Right in the main area is a red feature wall
and it was specified to be made of plywood.
“Plywood is usually associated with
lower quality and not that attractive,” says
Strasbourgh, “but the way it is used here
is really fantastic, it looks really good, very
impressive.
“The architect specified red-stained fir
veneer on plywood and I have to tell you,
when we first heard that we weren’t sure
about it, but it really stands out, it’s a true
signature piece.”
Morinwood also manufactured grill-like
ceiling panels, cabinets and desks, some
window treatments and flat ceiling and
wall panels.
“We used about 100,000 linear feet
of 1x2 Douglas fir for the ceilings and
we built about 100 cabinets. Some were
standard sizes, but there were also plenty
of variations with cabinets built specifically
for certain rooms,” Strasbourgh says.
“When we planned the job, we decided
that we would do very little on site work.
We knew we had to measure everything
very carefully to get it right, but that was
the only way.
“Because of the distances there really was
no room for error and we knew the only
way we could do it was to build it in the
shop and then ship it for installation.
‘We had a small area set up as a mini shop,
with a small table and chop saw, but the idea
was always to keep site work to a minimum.
“PCL was very good to work with,”
Strasbourgh says. “They were great
connecting with the architect when we
needed to and I can tell you that having
a good general contractor like that really
makes life easier.”
Morinwood specializes in jobs with a
design assist element where the client is
seeking to tailor the finishes to a style or
budget. Long before the job is tendered,
Morinwood starts working with the owner,
project consultant and general contractor
to help the team achieve the goals.
“People are always surprised how much
up-front work is needed for a project to
execute smoothly,” Morin says.
Fall 2015 www.awmac.com
21
chapter updates
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22
www.awmac.com Fall 2015
Dim the lights and raise the curtain…
the spotlight will be on Atlantic Canada
next June when AWMAC’s 2016
Convention and Annual General Meeting is
held in Prince Edward Island.
Preparations have been underway for over
a year already and the Atlantic Chapter is
looking forward to welcoming the rest of
Canada to an East Coast celebration. The
official invitation was delivered at the 2015
Convention in Saskatoon. A delegation of
Atlantic Members made a presentation to the
attending delegates at the President’s Ball. A
short film about Prince Edward Island and
an invitation from Anne of Green Gables was
enthusiastically received. If the ‘buzz’ at the
Convention is any indication, the East Coast
get-together is destined to be on everyone’s
‘must do’ list in 2016.
Since the spring edition of The Sounding
Board, the Atlantic Chapter has been
sailing along at a steady pace. The focus
of their activities has been on developing
communication networks with the design and
architectural firms and with the community
school programs. To those ends, the chapter
continues to hold Lunch and Learn Sessions
to present the latest published edition of
the Architectural Woodwork Standards and
to ensure that the architectural community
understands the benefits of using the
resources that AWMAC can bring to their
practices. The Atlantic Chapter has also
been reaching out to the community school
system and now has representation from all
the community woodworking programs in
the region. In recognition that the future
of our industry is in its youth, three student
bursaries were presented to woodworking
students this past spring. All our regional
community colleges use the AWS as one of
their core learning resources.
Other events of note, in the late spring
and early summer, have been our spring
chapter meeting and our Atlantic Chapter
AGM. The Atlantic chapter meetings always
start with a one hour presentation, given
by an industry expert, on a topic of chapter
interest. The April meeting had engaged
Foster MacKenzie, a noted and soon to be
retiring Halifax architect to present the
architect’s view of the construction process as
it pertains to millworkers and the AWMAC
GIS. The discussion that was sparked by the
architect’s presentation was both interesting
and enlightening and as expressed by many
of the attending members….well worth the
price of membership. The Atlantic AGM
held in mid-June was well attended by
members and sponsors and for the first time
by a couple of woodworkers who were in
the midst of their membership application
process (they have since completed their
application and have joined our chapter).
The annual AGM golf tournament was won
by the Suppliers’ team, with the slimmest of
margins, over the Manufacturers’ team.
The Awards of Excellence was made possible
by the following sponsors:
Event Sponsors
Formations
GRASS Canada
Hardwoods Specialty Products
Hettich Canada
Richelieu Hardware
Upper Canada Forest Products
Diamond Sponsors
Innovative Manufacturing
Pacific Doors
Platinum Sponsors
BlueShore Financial
E. Roko Distributors
Formica Canada
WorkSafeBC
and our Gold and Silver Sponsors
Thank you all for your extraordinary
support!
– Moira Rowan, B.C. Executive Director
2015 Atlantic AGM
Busy times…..but like all successful
woodworking projects…..the effort is well
rewarded by the results.
– Drew Parks
Office Manager, Atlantic Chapter
Manitoba
PhotO: Manitoba Chapter
Atlantic
Photo: Eric Murphy,
Richelieu Hardware
Design and Function —
Can You Have Both?
British Columbia
The 2015 Annual Awards of Excellence on
October 1st marked 25 years of outstanding
architectural woodwork by AWMAC B.C.
members. The third floor of the Vancouver
Convention Centre West was an amazing venue,
with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Coal
Harbour and the north
shore mountains.
A compilation of
40 large and small
commercial, residential
and export projects
were submitted by
our
manufacturer
members. The gala
was attended by more
than 300 AWMAC owners and employees,
architects, designers, general contractors
and students.
To view photographs of the event,
the submitted projects, and the winners,
go to the BC Chapter homepage at
http://bc.awmac.com.
Bonnie Gillrie is presented her National
Apprentice Winner plaque by Manitoba
President Curtis Popel.
The current executive of the Manitoba
Chapter was returned for an extra year
so that they can lead us through the 2017
Convention hosted by our Chapter.
The current executive is made up of
President – Curtis Popel, Vice President
– Steve Brewer, Secretary – Greg Barre,
Treasurer – Trevor Park, National Director
– Harm Hazeu. At present, the position of
GIS Director is vacant. A big thank you goes
out to Ed Stechkewich for a job well done as
GIS Director for the past number of years.
Congratulations go out to Bonnie Gillrie
of Wood Products Unlimited. Bonnie won
the National Apprenticeship Contest this
year. Bonnie was presented with a plaque, a
cheques and a gift card by Curtis Popel on
Fall 2015 www.awmac.com
23
chapter updates
Photo: Cindy afanasiff
unique jewelry boxes. Thanks to the members
that set up and manned the booth over the
two-day event.
Lunch and Learns continue to be done at
our chapter.
We would like to thank Joseph George for
his many years of doing the Lunch and Learns.
Ric Ptak will be taking over responsibility for
Lunch and Learns that will earn education
credits for those who attend.
Our new Executive Committee has been
busy at monthly meetings allowing chapter
meetings to run more smoothly.
We are all excited about our first Annual
Awards Night occurring on November 5,
2015, at the Northern Alberta Institute of
Technology (NAIT).
There will be seven awards given to design
and manufacturing members.
– Ron Matenchuk,
National Director, Northern Alberta Chapter
Photo: Betty Quan
June 30, 2015. Bonnie is the third apprentice
from Manitoba to win in the last five years.
There is a golf tournament planned for
Aug. 28 at the Bridges Golf Club. This event
is usually well attended and should be fun
time of socializing. Thanks to Brad Kinnear
for organizing this event.
In September, AWMAC Manitoba will
once again be participating in the Annual
Dragon Boat Fundraising Event. This year
it will be held on the September 12 weekend.
Our chapter participated for the first time last
fall and will make a much-improved effort
this fall to raise money for the CancerCare
Manitoba Foundation and the Children’s
Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.
Last year’s team consisted of shop and
staff employees from contractor and supplier
members including spouses and friends. A
great time was had by all that attended.
The current economic conditions in
Manitoba are still depressed. Projects seem
to be smaller and fewer in number than in
the past few years and prices continue to be
depressed. It is anticipated that this will not
change in the near future.
– Harm Hazeu,
National Director, Manitoba Chapter
ontario
QUEBEC
From left to right: Jeff Clermont, Peter
Gallagher, Hermia Wang, Livio Passalent,
Carlo DeFrancesco
24
www.awmac.com Fall 2015
golf tournament in Acton Vale. It was a rainy day but after 15
minutes of play, the rain stopped and it turned out to be a great
day. Thanks to the exceptional support of 13 associate and
manufacturer members who generously sponsored the event,
participants enjoyed the BBQ Mechoui dinner and shared many
valuable prizes. Mark your calendars for June 8, 2016, for our 5th
annual tournament in Acton Vale.
Our first major GIS project has now been completed. The
multimillion dollar woodwork project was part of the new Quebec
City Videotron Centre. The official opening of the new 18,000seat arena took place on September 3rd. Everything is now ready
for the return of a NHL team in Quebec City (Go Nordiques?).
Finally, on November 18, 19 and 20, we will be hosting our
4th annual General Membership meeting and convention
in Victoriaville. Located in the center of Quebec, this
location will certainly help increase the participation,
as many members are located nearby. While the final
program is still being finalized, we can confirm a
mill tour at one of our associate members, Les boisés La Fleur,
a renowned veneer manufacturer of Victoriaville. All details
about the event will be posted soon on the AWMAC website.
Hope to see you there!
– Gaëtan Lauzon
Executive Director, Quebec Chapter
***
Northern Alberta
2015 has been a challenge for our members
with the price of oil being under $40.00 a
barrel.
We enjoyed an extremely busy Try-A-Trade
at the Skills Alberta Competition, held on
May 13 and 14.
A minimum one hour line-up of students
and teachers were at our booth to make their
to educate architects and design authorities.
The focus of the Lunch and Learns is the
updated Architectural Woodwork Standards
manual and the value of the Guarantee and
Inspection Service (GIS) program.
In the past several months, the Chapter,
thanks to generous sponsoring members, has
supplied copies of the Architectural Woodwork
Standards manual to schools to be used as a
teaching tool for their students. The Ontario
Chapter will continue to supply manuals to all
the woodworking colleges in Ontario.
The Chapter will represent AWMAC
at the Woodworking Machinery & Supply
(WMS) Expo (November 5-7) at The
International Centre in Mississauga. It’s
the premier woodworking event that hosts
Canada’s largest display of woodworking
machinery, supplies and services and offers
educational opportunities on strategies
to operate smarter and leaner. AWMAC
members can take advantage of free
registration using code AWMAC15.
– Hermia Wang,
Association Assistant
AWMAC’s Ontario Chapter held its
3rd Annual Al Sparling Memorial Golf
Tournament on June 16 at Piper’s Heath
Golf Club. Members’ participation and
sponsorship made it a very successful event
this year. The weather was perfect, food was
delicious and most importantly, everyone
had fun networking with colleagues.
Later this fall, the Ontario Chapter will
host a seminar on ‘Contracts’ and a fun
activity of curling. The seminar will teach
members how to write a proper airtight
contract and how to look for pitfalls. More
details are coming soon.
The Ontario Chapter has hosted 13 Lunch
and Learns and will continue to host them
Thanks to the support of sustaining partner
Richelieu Hardware, volunteers from the
Quebec Chapter were able to promote the
association and the AWS as an exhibitor
during two of Richelieu’s road shows, one
in Magog and one in Ottawa. Focused on
the architect and designer community,
these events attract hundreds of architects
and designers and are a perfect occasion to
present the benefits of specifying the AWS
and the GIS program.
On June 3, AWMAC – Quebec also
participated as an exhibitor at the 3rd Annual
Decorative Wood Panel and Veneer Show,
held in Laval. Organized by the Canadian
Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association
(CHPVA) as part of their annual convention,
this event also attracted many architects and
designers. The collaboration between the
two associations didn’t end there as Martin
Boutet, our President, was invited to speak
at the convention. Over 40 delegates were
present to hear Martin present the AWS
and the GIS program. A mill tour was also
organized at one of our members, Menuiserie
Mont-Royal.
On June 9, our chapter held its 4th annual
Récemment, grâce à la collaboration d’un de nos partenaires
privilégiés, Quincaillerie Richelieu, nous avons pu exposer lors
de 2 journées portes ouvertes organisées à Magog et Ottawa. Ces
évènements ont attiré de nombreux architectes et designers et
des bénévoles de l’Association ont pu leur présenter les avantages
de spécifier les Normes de Menuiserie Architecturale (NMA) et
le Service d’Inspection et de Garantie (SIG).
Le 3 juin dernier, nous avons aussi été exposant au troisième
salon Placages et Panneaux de Bois Décoratif tenu à Laval.
Cet évènement, organisé par l’Association Canadienne du
Contreplaqué et des Placages de Bois Dur, dans le cadre de leur
congrès annuel, attire aussi de nombreux architectes et designers.
La collaboration entre les deux associations ne s’est pas terminée
ainsi car notre président, Martin Boutet, a été aussi invité comme
conférencier lors de ce congrès. De plus, les participants ont pu
visiter les installations d’un de nos membres manufacturiers, soit
Menuiserie Mont-Royal.
Le 9 juin dernier se tenait, à Acton Vale, la 4e édition de
notre tournoi de golf annuel. La journée était pluvieuse mais
après seulement 15 minutes de jeux, le soleil a été de la partie
et tous ont profités d’une magnifique journée. Grâce à la
générosité exceptionnelle de plus de 15 membres associés et
manufacturiers qui ont commandités l’évènement, la journée
s’est terminée par un souper ou les participants se sont régalés
d’un délicieux Méchoui et se sont partagés de magnifiques
prix. Marquez vos calendriers pour la 5e édition qui aura lieu
à Acton Vale, le 8 juin 2016.
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Fall 2015 www.awmac.com
25
chapter updates
Saskatchewan
Thank you to everyone who attended the
2015 AWMAC Convention and AGM held
in Saskatoon in May. It was a great turnout
and a wonderful opportunity to reconnect
with fellow manufacturers and suppliers.
I would especially like to thank Greg
Hipperson and Chris Ransom for their
endless hours and commitment to make the
event such a great success.
Our chapter is looking forward to a busy
fall as our GIS program has really begun
to pick up momentum. Rick Koehn was
recruited to promote the GIS program to
architects and designers and we have begun
to see the results. In the last six months, we
have seen six projects specify GIS including
the Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon – a
$260 million dollar project.
The Saskatchewan Chapter is also
actively looking to expand its membership
base. We have five manufacturing members
throughout the province and believe the
potential is quite great to have more input
into the chapter from companies who are
currently not AWMAC members.
– Kasia Robinson
President, Saskatchewan Chapter
26
www.awmac.com Fall 2015
Southern Alberta
Photo: Christopher Drebnisky of
Sizeland Evans Interior Design Inc.
complété. Ces travaux d’ébénisterie
totalisant plusieurs millions de dollars
faisaient parties du nouveau Centre
Vidéotron de Québec. L’ouverture officielle
du nouvel Aréna de 18 000 places a eu lieu
le 2 septembre dernier. Tout est maintenant
en place pour recevoir une nouvelle équipe
de la LNH à Québec (Go Nordique?).
Finalement, c’est au Centre des
Congrès de Victoriaville que se tiendra
notre 4e congrès annuel les 18, 19 et 20
novembre prochain. Cet emplacement a
été choisi pour faciliter la participation
d’un plus grand nombre de membres. En
effet, plusieurs des entreprises membres
sont situées tout près. Le programme
sera disponible bientôt sur le site web de
l’association par contre nous pouvons déjà
confirmer qu’une visite industrielle aura
lieu chez un de nos membres associés,
Les boisés La Fleur, un important
fabricant de placages de Victoriaville.
Nous vous y attendons en grand nombre!
– Gaëtan Lauzon
Directeur Exécutif, Section Québec
The annual Southern Alberta Awards
of Excellence was held on March 13th
at Hotel Arts. We celebrated the design
and manufacturing of interior woodwork
completed by AWMAC members with an
evening of fine dining, entertainment and
awards. We had a full house with members,
spouses and cabinetmaking apprentices
in attendance. It was an exciting evening.
Comedian Jebb Fink entertained the crowd
and the following people received awards:
Design Innovation Award
Presented to the members that demonstrated
excellence in Design, Innovation and Use of
Materials in a project
WINNER: Sizeland Evans Interior Design Inc
For the project: Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP
Millwork Manufactured by: Executive
Millwork Inc.
Project Managed by: Centron
Product Design & Quality Award –
Residential
Presented to the members that demonstrated
excellence in Design, Innovation and Use of
Materials in a project
WINNER: Bec Woodcraft, Green Residence
Product Design & Quality Award – less
than 200K
Presented to the members that demonstrated
excellence in Design, Innovation and Use of
Materials in a project
WINNER: Cambium Woodwork Ltd. –
Athabasca Oil Corporation
Project Designed by: Jerilyn Wright &
Associates
Project Managed by: Scott Construction
Product Design & Quality Award –
Greater than 200K
Presented to the members that demonstrated
excellence in Design, Innovation and Use of
Materials in a project
WINNER: Nicks Woodcraft Industries Ltd.,
The Bank and Baron P.U.B.
Millwork Designed by: Zeidler BKDI
Architects
Project Managed by: Chandos Construction
Guarantee and Inspection Service Award
This Award is for the Member firm that had
the greatest number of deficiency free GIS
inspections in the past year. The member who
won this award completed 8 GIS projects and all
were deficiency free.
WINNER: Bennett Millwork Western Ltd.
Supplier of the Year Award
SA Manufacturer Members nominated
the Associate Member Company who provided
the best, most prompt and professional service to
their company during the past year.
WINNER: Formations Inc.
Sales Representative of the Year Award
SA Manufacturer Members nominated
the Associate Member Sales Representative who
provided the best, most prompt and professional
service to their company during the past year.
WINNER: Steve Biccum, Richelieu Hardware
Southern Alberta Cabinetmaking
Scholarships
Each year AWMAC Southern Alberta offers
four $1000 scholarships to Cabinetmaking
Apprentices who work for Southern Alberta
Manufacturer Members.
First Year: Mitchell Nunweiler, Rainbow
Contractors
Second Year: Michael Addai, Sunview
Custom Cabinetry
Third Year: Aaron Rowsell, Cambium
Woodwork
Fourth Year: Shane Sutherland, Executive
Millwork Inc.
AWMAC National Apprentice Competition
First Place: Michael Addai – Sunview Custom
Cabinetry Ltd.
Second Place: Whitney Owen – Executive
Millwork Inc.
Third Place Tie: Brandy Carmichael – Bennet
Millwork Western Ltd. & Timon Salzgeber –
Canmore Woodcrafters Ltd.
– Rob Hodgins,
President, Southern Alberta Chapter
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