On May 17 , VRCA's Life Members enjoyed a luncheon and their Annual General Meeting at the Vancouver Club. In addition to the formal business of the AGM, conducted by Life Members Committee Chair, Pat Dennett, the guests enjoyed a lively discussion on current industry topics, received an update from those Life Members on [...]
The AIBC’s Continuing Education System (CES) was introduced in 2001 in response to the profession’s recognition of its own needs and the public’s increasing expectation that architects remain current with contemporary technology, business practices, methods and materials. All architects and architectural technologists are required to earn 36 Learning Units every two years, consisting of [...]
It’s not everyday that one sees a pair of concrete trucks parked on a basketball court. Last Thursday, VRCA Education Committee volunteers were at North Vancouver’s Sherwood Park Elementary School talking to approximately 232 students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 about the construction industry. The concrete trucks were used for show and tell. “It [...]
The Audain Art Museum in Whistler is among 20 exceptional new buildings in 16 countries to receive the 2018 RIBA Awards for International Excellence The museum constructed by Axiom Builders was commissioned by property developer Michael Audain to house his personal art collection. Patkau Architects designed the museum. The 20 winning projects announced this [...]
Lower Mainland Facilities Management (LMFM) is now requiring contractors to report out on waste generated and diverted for all LMFM projects greater than $150,000 to ensure the Lower Mainland health authorities and organizations are aligned with Metro Vancouver’s waste diversion mandate and can reach its own 2020 GreenCare target of 80 per cent. Why [...]
Four BC municipalities have established or ratified a bylaw, policy or program that references the BC Energy Step Code, and an additional 21 have started the required consultations. The BC Energy Step Code is a provincial standard enacted in April 2017 that provides an incremental and consistent approach to achieving more energy-efficient buildings that [...]
April 28 has been designated the national Day of Mourning, a time when we come together to remember those who have lost their lives due to work-related incidents or occupational diseases. Last year, 158 workers from a variety of industries died as a result of their work. Sadly, in a recent three-week period alone, [...]
Do you want to win a spot in VRCA’s 2018 golf tournament on June 1 at Northview Golf & Country Club? All you have to do is complete the annual VRCA membership survey for your chance to win a spot on VRCA President Fiona Famulak’s foursome. The prize, valued at $235, includes your tournament [...]
VRCA has rolled out an improvement to its online store that makes it easier for anyone shopping for construction industry documents, including CCDC guides, contracts and stickers. The change allows customers to add an item to their shopping cart with one click and stay on the page so they can easily select additional items [...]
There are a number of new faces gracing the VRCA offices these days. As an introduction to our members, we’re planning to feature our newest team members in our blog over the coming weeks. Today, we start with Olivia Olczak-Day. Who is Olivia? Olivia is the newest member of the VRCA family, replacing Sanjeev [...]
VRCA, in partnership with the Canadian Construction Documents Committee, will be hosting a set of CCDC seminars on May 11 at Douglas College in New Westminster to introduce new and updated contract forms and guides. The seminars, split into a morning and afternoon session, are conducted by those same CCDC members who have worked [...]
The BC Energy Step Code Design Guide is now available for download from the BC Housing website. Published by BC Housing in collaboration with BC Hydro, the City of Vancouver, the City of New Westminster, and the Province of BC, the guide provides information on the key strategies and approaches to meeting the Energy [...]
The Vancouver Whitecaps are offering VRCA members discounted game tickets to celebrate Construction Month. VRCA members can purchase specially priced tickets for the ’Caps Construction Night on April 13 when Vancouver hosts Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). VRCA members will save roughly 45 per cent off regular ticket prices. And there’s no restriction on [...]
WorkSafeBC recently published a new safety bulletin about reducing the risk of pentane gas fires and explosions. Expanded polystyrene is a synthetic foam material that has a wide range of uses in many industries. Applications include: insulation in buildings (especially cold storage buildings); piping; concrete formwork; wine tanks; wharf and float manufacturing; and applications [...]
Congratulations to Emannuel Dumoulin for earning his Gold Seal Certification! Emmanuel started his career as an electrician like his father. He fell in love with the trade at an early age. He has been in the trades for over 20 years and is currently an electrical senior project manager. Emmanuel was working on a [...]
Nationwide, $46 billion in construction invoices remained unpaid beyond a 30-day period, an amount representing approximately 16 per cent of the estimated $285 billion in annual construction activity in Canada. Worse yet, between 2007 and 2012, the average duration of receivables increased by more than 13 per cent, rising from 62.8 days to 71.1 [...]
Do you worry about what’s the best way to present your Awards of Excellence submission to our judges? Well, there’s no need to – our judges are here to offer a few words of advice. VRCA hosted an Awards of Excellence information session on March 7 featuring awards chair Tony Everett and awards [...]
The BC Construction Association has been selected as one of two groups that will develop a a range of programs designed to help women working or entering a career in the building trades through improved workplace supports, services and practices. BC Premier John Horgan made the announcement on International Women’s Day following a speech [...]
It’s not often that we can say the same thing about two budgets, especially when they are delivered by different levels of government in the same fiscal year. So, here it goes: The 2018-19 budgets will be good for individuals, however, not so good for business. In the last 10 days, the provincial and [...]
The Time is Now to Champion Prompt Payment for Our Industry Timely cash flow throughout the construction payment chain is fundamental to a healthy construction industry. Delay in payment anywhere in the supply chain reduces profit, restricts innovation and investment in plant, machinery and people. It also increases the cost to finance company operations [...]
