A sold out crowd of about 600 members of the building industry gathered for the 25th Anniversary of the Tommie Awards late last month at the Delta Grand Hotel to celebrate another year of construction.

The Tommies celebrate the achievements of the housing industries鈥� finest, the best of the best for the past year. The evening showcased the vision, talent and commitment to set the standard of excellence in the industry.

Other than the winners, the highlight of the night was the video retrospective of the Okanagan, it鈥檚 growth over 25 years and the people who shaped our communities.

鈥淭he video showcased where we鈥檝e come from and where we are today from industry icons like Lambert Schmalz to the current year, where we鈥檝e had a record number of building starts,鈥� said Sherri Paiement, CHBACO Executive Officer.

Some of the big winners included Vineyard Developments, VanMar Constructors, Turner Custom Homes, Big Valley Homes and Renovations, Wilson and Company, Keith Dahlen Construction, and Weninger Construction and Design, Pentar Homes, Edgecombe Builders and Alderbaran Homes 鈥攁ll of whom took home awards.

Turner Custom Home鈥檚 Waterfront Estate received the Grand Tommie: Home of the Year.

Paiement said local builders are setting trends when it comes to construction.

鈥淭he Tommies in many ways set the trends we see in homes that people want for their own homes. Renovations showcase what you can really do to create beautiful spaces with your existing home,鈥� she said.

Paiment added the success of Tommie could not be achieved without a strong and vibrant industry to support it and it鈥檚 success is a testament to the hard work and efforts of CHBA Central, it鈥檚 members, its project partners and sponsors that have made the Tommie Awards what it is today.

To view all of the award winners go to http://www.tommieawards.com.