Norfolk County Community Development Awards - 2023

2023 Community Development Awards

Norfolk County Mayor Amy Martin

In my opinion, there is no better place to live than Norfolk County. Along with its pristine landscape, tranquil setting, and picturesque views, are hardworking people that are always willing to lend a hand.

In these pages, you’ll read about amazing individuals, groups, and businesses that are helping shape our municipality. They’re adapting to an always-changing business landscape, but also doing so with sustainability and environmental stewardship in mind. It’s folks like this that make Norfolk County what it is – the best municipality in Canada.

Growing up here, I visited or shopped at many of the businesses listed and know many of the individuals being recognized. It always amazes me to see what innovative ideas they come up with next.

I’ve also seen first-hand what hard work, a positive attitude, and commitment to our community can do. These people and businesses deserve kudos for their vision - and for shepherding our County in a positive direction, one that future generations can be proud of. Council strives to do the very same thing, but we can’t do it without the tireless efforts of forward-thinking residents – the ones with boots on the ground.

General Manager, Community Development, Brandon Sloan

Community Development is about growth; which may involve the physical growth and development of the community that we live, work, play and visit; it may take the form of economic growth of our businesses; it may include understanding, celebrating and growing our cultural identity and sense of place; growing our social, recreational and environmental well-being or perhaps even personal growth of leaders and positive actions within our growing community.

Community Development is about connecting; people with places, places with people and people with people. When you have a range of diverse people gathering or colliding in the same place at the same time wonderful ideas and things can happen…as well as creating a greater sense of belonging and a connected community.

And Community Development is also about healthy communities; how we design and develop places with a wide variety of housing and transportation choices, parks and green space; how we create and provide recreational and cultural programs and opportunities; how we help support a balanced economy with successful businesses, jobs and grow our food right here in Norfolk as part of a healthy community.

The Community Development Awards showcase some of the amazing initiatives, people and businesses in Norfolk. They bring our previous awards into one new evolved program to celebrate leadership in a number of categories. The hope is that this adds another inspiration for the future!

Best New Build or Renovation – under $300,000

This award is for the top new building construction that exemplifies outstanding building design, construction techniques, architectural innovation, expression and/or seamless integration into the built form of the streetscape and community. There are 2 categories Small Project: Construction value is under $300,000 and Large Project: Construction value is equal to or greater than $300,000

Lisa Kaniuk, designer for Chameleon Home, was born and raised in Norfolk County. She has been working in design and construction for the last 14 years. Over this time, she has built strong relationships with local contractors.

Lisa is a hard-working and creative individual that keeps the clients’ priorities at the top of her list, creating a relationship of trust and respect as she manages all details from design to build.

Read more: @lisakaniukdesign

2023 Award Recipient - Lisa Kaniuk - Chameleon Home / Ralph Smith Construction

Best New Build or Renovation – over $300,000

This award is for the top new building construction that exemplifies outstanding building design, construction techniques, architectural innovation, expression and/or seamless integration into the built form of the streetscape and community. There are 2 categories Small Project: Construction value is under $300,000 and Large Project: Construction value is equal to or greater than $300,000

2023 Award Recipient - Riversyde 83

Riversyde 83 by Church Out Serving is a community-focused, faith-inspired, volunteer-run care network.

It has become a gathering place where food, friends, and wellness converge. This new downtown destination houses a community teaching kitchen, commercial catering kitchen, cafe, marketplace, and meeting rooms.

The repurposing of this previous LCBO building into a new community food hub has already positively impacted the people in the area and contributed to the further rejuvenation of downtown Simcoe.

Read more: riversyde83.ca

Outstanding Community Design Award of Excellence

This award is to recognize a new development that achieves a high level of urban design for a site or subdivision. The planning, design and construction of more sustainable and inclusive development can contribute to a more complete and healthy community. This award has an Award of Excellence and Award of Merit.

2023 Award Recipient - Indwell’s Dogwood Suites

This outstanding project by Indwell, Dogwood Suites features 51 supportive affordable housing units along with ground-floor retail space.

Indwell has transformed a derelict property into a new three-story building that has revitalized one of downtown Simcoe’s most visible corners. From the interior units that provide the community with much needed housing and supportive programming, to the fresh new exterior of the building, it is a welcome change to the downtown core.

Read more: indwell.ca/dogwood-suites

Outstanding Community Design Award of Merit

This award is to recognize a new development that achieves a high level of urban design for a site or subdivision. The planning, design and construction of more sustainable and inclusive development can contribute to a more complete and healthy community. This award has an Award of Excellence and Award of Merit.

2023 Award Recipient - Bevco’s Fernridge Estates

Bevco’s Fernridge Estates units are a beautiful contribution to Simcoe. This development consists of 50 luxury bungalow-style townhomes that have been carefully designed from the ground up to provide maximum enjoyment to the owners. From the natural stone facades to the huge, vaulted ceilings and the spa-like master bathrooms, these homes are one of a kind.

Fernridge Estates was developed to become one with the site. The landscape plan is extensive - complete with many mature trees and lush vegetation that work together to make it feel like the homes have been there for decades.

Read more: bevcohomes.ca/fernridge-estates-simcoe

Check out this video: vimeo.com/829483383

Environmental Sustainability Award

This award is for a person, a group, building, larger development, neighbourhood or a project. It could involve actions related to greenhouse gas mitigation or adaptation, energy management or conservation, water or wastewater conservation or reuse, waste conservation/management, building or neighbourhood design, agricultural practices, food security, transportation demand management or overall climate change.

2023 Award Recipient - Charlotteville Brewing Company

By following processes to ensure they tread as lightly on the Earth as they can, the Charlotteville Brewing Company has environmental projects across a variety of focus areas.

These areas include water and energy efficiency, partnering with local producers, sustainable transportation, eco-certified products, and customer and employee engagement. Examples of these projects include roadside cleanups, educational workshops, tree restoration projects, and tracking food waste and carbon emissions.

Read more: charlottevillebrewingcompany.ca

Norfolk Spirit Award for Agriculture

This award is to celebrate great achievements in the field of agriculture which is a primary industry in Norfolk County. The intent is to recognize leadership, innovation, and long-term standing in the commitment to undertake and improve agricultural-related practices.

2023 Award Recipient - Sawaya Gardens

For over 30 years, Sawaya Gardens has been helping research and develop quality garden plants for garden centres across North America. For the last 22 years, Sawaya Gardens has been Canada’s largest outdoor non-biased garden trial location.

Every year, over 300 horticultural producers, breeders, buyers, wholesalers, and marketers attend the Sawaya Garden Trials open house to look for leading-edge plants to watch, and to avoid. After research, all plants are sold to the public with 100% of sales donated to local causes and charities. Three generations later, the family business is growing stronger than ever, with the addition of a brandnew public garden centre in Waterford.

Read more: sawayagardens.com

Thriving New Business Award

This award is to recognize a recent business created in Norfolk that has demonstrated successful operation, early growth and employment support and may have contributed a positive impact within, beyond and for the County.

2023 Award Recipient - Wishbone Brewing

Wishbone Brewing is one of Norfolk County’s newest craft breweries in the historic building that was once home to the Dominion Telephone Company in Waterford, Ontario. It is situated on the Waterford Heritage Trail and Shadow Lake Park, and its patio boasts beautiful views of Shadow Lake and its surrounding green space. Wishbone aims to provide their vibrant community with a gathering place that brings locals closer together and gives out-oftowners the authentic “Folkin’” experience over good conversation, fun special events, and—especially—over delicious cold, locallyproduced craft beer.

Read more: wishbonebrews.com

Economic Excellence and Prosperity Award

This award is for the overall impact of a business in Norfolk and the legacy that it is contributing to the community. The business would have strong employment, financial, and reputational growth within and beyond the County.

2023 Award Recipient - Roulston’s Pharmacy

Roulston’s Pharmacy is a locally owned and operated pharmacy group established in Norfolk County in 1933. Owners Blair Snow, Mark Stephens, Steve Flexman, Kareena Martin, and Peter Rempel continue the tradition that past owners instituted, of a foundation of professional pharmacy care, and quality customer service.

2023 will see the company celebrate 90 years of pharmacy service to residents of Norfolk, and beyond. With over 140 employees, many of them long-standing team members with over 35 years at Roulston’s, customers have interactions with well-trained pharmacy professionals who deliver small town service. Employees strive to “make a difference” for customers, and continue the tradition of superior customer care that began in 1933.

Read more: roulstons.com

Youth Leadership Award

The future of Norfolk will one day be in the hands of our youth. The intent of this award is to recognize an exceptional young person that has stepped forward to enhance the lives of youth and our community.

2023 Award Recipient - Sarah Dolina

Sarah Dolina is a young and inspiring leader. Sarah has over 350 community hours and counting and strives to make Norfolk a better place through several projects she has undertaken. With a focus on science and the environment, she helped lead the eco-club and recycling program at her school. She also implemented hot school lunches.

Sarah invented a toilet that powers your gas appliances, showcasing her invention as the youngest competitor in the 4-H Science Fair. She recently raised $1,200 for the Make a Wish Foundation with the help of friends, through her own fundraiser – ‘Pancakes in the Park’.

In 2022, Sarah was Miss Teenage Norfolk, where her duties involved attending many public events such as Bay fest; Norfolk County Fair, CIBC Run for the Cure, Coldest Night of the Year, Norfolk Ram Rodeo and Lift the Limits Fundraiser.

Lifetime Leadership Award

This award is to recognize the outstanding contributions of an individual that has contributed to a better Norfolk.

2023 Award Recipient - Jean Montgomery

Jean Montgomery is recognized for her outstanding contribution to Norfolk. Her dedication and community spirit are clear in many community groups and organizations.

Jean has been the President of the Norfolk Youth Basketball Associations for over 30 years and has spent endless hours volunteering with the Waterford Pumpkin Festival and the Sprucedale Youth Detention Centre.

Jean is a valued member of the Suicide Prevention Network of Haldimand Norfolk, the Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation, the Children’s Aid Society of Haldimand Norfolk and President of Community Addiction & Mental Health Services.

Jean is very deserving of the Lifetime Leadership Award as her heart is clearly with Norfolk County.

Community Development Champion

The recipient of this award should exemplify and exude a positive spirit of collaboration and leadership to undertake one or more initiatives that help create a stronger, more connected and healthy community.

2023 Award Recipient - Sue Downs

Sue Downs has been a community development champion for many years.

She has been instrumental in the Holiday Soup Lunch, the Panorama Cabin Project and countless food drives.

During the Covid 19 pandemic, Sue forged ahead ensuring over 75,000 Covid-19 rapid tests were distributed to over 300 community organizations to help keep them running as safely as possible.

Most recently Sue has served as the president of the Simcoe and District Chamber of Commerce. Through the Chamber’s various committees, special events, and programs, its members enhance business and other opportunities in Simcoe and the surrounding area, making the community a better place to live and work.

Dogwood Award

Norfolk is a community rich with history, heritage and culture. This award is to recognize outstanding stewardship of a heritage designated property.

Heritage and Culture Dogwood Award

The goal of this award is to honour an individual and a group for their outstanding achievements and contributions to heritage and/ or culture within Norfolk County. Heritage includes, but not limited to the built, natural, multicultural, indigenous or social history. Culture, includes but not limited to visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, crafts, music and media arts.

No recipients for 2023

Community Development Award Categories

• Best New Build or Renovation Award – under $300,000

• Best New Build or Renovation Award – over $300,000

• Outstanding Community Design Award of Excellence

• Outstanding Community Design Award of Merit

• Environmental Sustainability Award

• Norfolk Spirit Award for Agriculture

• Thriving New Business Award

• Economic Excellence and Prosperity Award

• Youth Leadership Award

• Lifetime Leadership Award

• Community Development Champion Award

• Heritage Property Stewardship Dogwood Award

• Heritage and Culture Dogwood Award

The countdown to the 2025 Community Development Awards is on!

Start thinking about your nominations today!