‘Builder of the Year’ Gives $30K to Okanagan College

Okanagan College’s fundraising total continues to grow as a prominent construction business steps up to donate.

Bellamy Homes, which was recently named Builder of the Year in the Okanagan, gave $30,000 on Thursday to support the future of trades in the area.

The company’s donation will go towards the construction of a new common area for students to socialize and study in, in the new Trades Training Complex at Okanagan College.

Opening this spring, the new complex at the Kelowna campus will accommodate more than 2,600 students.

“I think it’s very important as industry leaders that we support and encourage young people getting into trades careers however we can,” said Les Bellamy, CEO and Owner of Bellamy Homes Inc., in a statement. “To maintain the quality and craftsmanship that goes into building our homes and communities, the valley needs skilled tradespeople and the College is a key supplier of that workforce.”

The Kelowna-based company was awarded Builder of the Year by the Canadian Home Builders Association at the 2016 Tommie Awards on January 30th.

“We are very fortunate to have home builders in our surrounding communities who are committed to excellence,” says Jim Hamilton, President of Okanagan College, also in a statement. “We share that commitment and are honoured to have a local leader like Bellamy Homes working with us to enhance the learning environment for the next wave of skilled workers who will keep this important industry strong in the Okanagan and throughout BC.”

Bellamy said he was inspired to donate because of the college’s work making trades better in the area.

“We have been serving the Kelowna area as home designers and builders for more than 20 years now, and can certainly attest to the value of formal training,” explained Bellamy. “Looking forward to the next 20 years, the thousands of men and women who will train here are the ones who are going to be building our homes.

“We are proud to be a part of this project and a part of the future of the Okanagan.”

Okanagan College is currently B.C.’s second largest trades training institution and will open it’s expansion this spring.

The $33-million project is being funded by both government and donations, with the province committing $28-million to the project, and The Okanagan College Foundation fundraising for $7-million more.

Home builders in the area have put in over half a million dollars, towards an overall goal of $1 million from this sector.

“Our local builders, just like our local automotive dealers, have stepped up in a big way throughout this campaign,” says Kathy Butler, Executive Director of the Okanagan College Foundation, in a statement. “Education truly is the foundation for a better future.

“It means so much to students to see employers investing in their futures, and so we hope that builders throughout the Okanagan will be inspired to help us finish strong and finish the job.”

For more information about the campaign, you can visit the Okanagan College website.