Amanda Bartelds accepted the Art Ouellette Memorial Award on behalf of Telus. Pictured (from left to right): Andre Ouellette, Amanda Bartelds, Wendy Bosch, DTA Chair Chelsea O'Neill and Mayor Bill Given. (Photo courtesy of the Downtown Association)

By Emily Keller

Community

Awards presented at the Downtown Association’s AGM

Feb 29, 2020 | 7:00 AM

The Downtown Association held their Annual General Meeting on Thursday, where a few awards were given out.

The Art Ouellette Memorial Award was presented to Telus in the City Centre.

Wendy Bosch, Executive Director of the Downtown Association, says the Art Ouellette Memorial Award was started in 1997, and is for owner’s and operators of downtown businesses.

“Who has made an outstanding contribution to the city centre, by meeting or exceeding beautification and customer service. Things like outstanding detail to upkeep, display maintenance, cleanliness, presentation and operation of their business.”

The other award given out was the 2019 Downtowner of the Year award, which was presented to the New Horizon Co-op downtown location. This award has been around since 1984.

Amanda Pinard and Miranda Copeland accepted the 2019 Downtowner of the Year award on behalf of New Horizon Co-Op. Pictured (from left to right): Amanda Pinard, Miranda Copeland, Wendy Bosch, DTA Chair Chelsea O’Neill and Mayor Bill Given. (Photo courtesy of the Downtown Association)

Bosch says members of the Downtown Association can recommend businesses who they feel are deserving of the Downtown of the Year recognition.

“Our board is always looking, our committees are always looking, I, myself, am always looking. We’re looking for the buzz in the city centre of who’s doing what. So, in this particular year, New Horizon has been a great community supporter.”

The downtown New Horizon Co-Op had donated to several community events and groups in 2019, including the Street Performer Festival, Salvation Army’s Christmas Hamper program and their Good Buy to Hunger campaign.