Waterloo Region Home Builders’ Association in partnership with TD Commercial Banking proudly presents WRHBA’s 21st Annual Industry Luncheon on Friday, March 2, 2012 at Bingemans’ Ballroom.

WRHBA’s Industry Luncheon is the Associations leading networking event that draws more than 500 guests and business leaders annually from all sectors of the residential construction industry and community at large.  WRHBA is pleased to announce that this year’s keynote speaker is the former Captain of the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team, Cassie Campbell-Pascall.  Cassie’s motivational keynote address entitled “Seven Steps to Consistent Leadership” will inspire, inform, educate, entertain and leave a lasting impression and enhanced winning attitude on you and your professional team!

As the only Captain, male or female, to lead Canada to two Olympic Gold Medals, Cassie will share her challenges and the importance of communication, which led to her becoming a six-time World Champion Gold Medalist.  Cassie’s keynote address stems from her experiences as the longest serving Captain in Canadian hockey history, wherein she was awarded 17 gold and four silver medals.  Cassie’s passionate and down to earth personality is guaranteed to motivate all in attendance!

To guarantee your sponsorship and take advantage of early bird ticket prices, we encourage you to register by January 27, 2012.  For additional information, please contact WRHBA’s Event and Marketing Coordinator, Stephanie Lake, 519-884-7590, or by e-mail to Stephanie-Lake@wrhba.com.

Recognizing Excellence in the Residential Construction Industry

Waterloo Region Home Builders’ Association (WRHBA) marked the 16^th Anniversary for their Awards of Distinction at Bingemans Ballroom on November 4^th. The gala event, presented in partnership with the Waterloo Region Record, hosted over 470 industry leaders, luminaries and supporters. The celebration saluted this year’s industry achievers, Awards of Distinction finalists and winners.

Congratulations to all award recipients!

To view all finalists and winners – click here.

Jamie Adam, President
Waterloo Region Home Builders’ Association

In May of 2011, Jamie Adam became the 38^th President of the Waterloo Region Home Builders’ Association (WRHBA).  Jamie has proudly served with the WRHBA for the past six years on the Board of Directors and in the last three years on the Executive Committee.

Jamie Adam is also President of Pioneer Craftsmen Ltd, and 3^rd generation of one of our region’s established, full service Design Build Renovation firms.  Pioneer Craftsmen helps home owners experience the true value of their home by finding unique solutions through renovations of all types and sizes. Jamie has extensive experience in the renovation industry from working on the site to estimating, designing and project management. As of April 2010, he became President of the company his grandfather founded 58 years ago.

A graduate of Conestoga College, Jamie understands the importance of continuing education and regularly attends industry seminars and conferences throughout Canada and United States. The combination of hands on experience and continuing education has been pivotal in developing Jamie’s leadership skills.

Recent Articles

Media Release – Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit, November 26, 2011

Media Release – WRHBA Awards of Distinction, November 11, 2011

Regional Homes – Free Renovation Seminar Today, October 29, 2011

Regional Homes – Focus on Renovation Value, October 22, 2011

Regional Homes – Industry Offers up Free Renovation Seminar, October 15, 2011

Regional Homes – Renovate with Confidence, October 8, 2011

OWN Waterloo Region – Payback on your Renovation Investment, October 2011

Regional Homes – Advice on Buying a New Home, August 6, 2011

OWN Waterloo Region – Creating a Better Waterloo Region, August 2011

Regional Homes – Quality Products Make a Difference, July 23, 2011

Regional Homes – Come Home to Your Future, July 9, 2011

Media Release – WRHBA Commentary on Rapid Transit, June 7, 2011

To view the presentation, click here.

Ontario’s building code is scheduled to update on Jan. 1, 2012, and that update includes noteworthy requirements about energy efficiency. Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) has struggled to provide timely direction to Ontario’s municipal officials and building industry, and there is much confusion about how building permits will be approved in January.

Mindscape Innovations is proud to release a FREE online tool that is designed to be simple, and to help Ontario’s builders determine what changes may be required in order to bring their traditional designs into compliance with the new building code. This FREE online tool will help clarify the confusion surrounding SB12, and will help builders plan for the future.

To view the free web-based model to figure our if your design conforms with the Ontario Building Code (SB12), click here.

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The City of Kitchener has provided the following information (Nov. 9, 2011):

SB 12 (new houses)

WRHBA is pleased to have completed its first ever Education House, a place which brought to life all areas of study to educate students on the fundamentals for best building practices, as well as unique and innovative products so they could better understand how and what they learned in school translated to the work site. With the combined efforts from various member companies, WRHBA built the home to support and promote the Association as well as Conestoga College School of Trades and Apprenticeship.

Acting as a living classroom, the Education House combined the students’ class work with tours of the home as it was under construction and the opportunity to discuss what was being built and how it was being constructed with local trades. Being able to watch the staff at Churchill Homes build the house from start to finish meant they could witness for themselves the rewards of a commitment to craftsmanship and quality home construction. The experience proved valuable.  “While taking the theory behind buildings is certainly useful there is nothing as good as going onsite and walking through an actual building in progress,” commented Judi Westcott, Professor of Carpentry at Conestoga College. “Much of what the students saw in the home were aspects we had talked about in class including the structure itself, transference of loads to the ground, energy shield installation concerns, air barrier installation, cutouts in structural members and framing of arched windows to mention a few areas.”

The Education House is situated on a 40’ lot purchased from William J. Gies Construction Ltd. The home is set in the prestigious Waterloo Nature’s Watch community, located at 308 Westpark Crescent. Churchill Homes created their Fort Francis model, a 2195 square foot home with an oversized fabulous upper-floor family room complete with high ceilings and sliding doors that lead to a generous covered balcony; gorgeous hardwood floors along with ceramics and granite countertops in the kitchen all add to the overall beauty of this quality built energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® home.

 The Education House officially opened its doors to the public on Friday, January 28 at its ribbon-cutting ceremony and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Local dignitaries, most notably Peter Braid, MP, The Honourable John Milloy, MPP, Minister of Training & Education, Elizabeth Witmer, MPP, Dan Glenn-Graham, Acting Mayor, City of Kitchener, Jean Haalboom, Council, Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Zyg Janecki, Council, City of Kitchener, Mark Whaley, Council, City of Waterloo and Dr. John Tibbits, President, Conestoga College, all commented on the leadership demonstrated by the Education House and its strong cooperative efforts to prepare our students to become future trades and a valued cornerstone in the growth of our industry and economy.