Durham Region wins Bruce Brunton Award in recognition of 2018 National Public Works Week celebrations

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region’s Works Department has won the Ontario Public Works Association’s (OPWA) Bruce Brunton Award for its 2018 National Public Works Week (NPWW) campaign. The award was presented to staff at Works Committee today by Brian Barber, Executive Director of the Ontario Public Works Association.

“Congratulations to staff for once again delivering a top-class experience through National Public Works Week,” said Elaine Baxter-Trahair, Chief Administrative Officer for Durham Region. “Through this annual event, a bright light is shone on public works—a profession that largely works behind the scenes to create a wonderful quality of life for Durham residents. From the water you use to brush your teeth, to the roads you drive on to get to work—public works is there.”

NPWW takes place each year during the third week of May across North America. The aim of NPWW is to inform and engage residents about the importance and impact of public works.

Durham Region celebrates NPWW each year with internal and external events and awareness campaigns. In 2018, Durham hosted a public open house at its Orono Depot, which offered activities for residents of every age, such as: truck and equipment displays; interactive educational displays; crafts; games; tours and more. Also in celebration of NPWW last year, Durham Region produced a short video about the power of public works. The video, which shows residents the many ways that public works impacts their daily lives, can be viewed on Durham Region’s YouTube channel.

“We use National Public Works Week as a fun way to show the community what we do,” said John Presta, acting Commissioner of Works for Durham Region. “Our annual celebrations are organized and executed by a staff committee of passionate public works professionals and members of the corporate communications office. Each year, they somehow deliver an event that was even better than the year before. I’m pleased to see this team recognized for their hard work with this prestigious award.”

NPWW awards are given to recognize the efforts of Ontario municipalities who participate in the week-long event. Two awards are presented each year by the OPWA, the Roger Brown Award for municipalities with a population of 150,000 or less and the Bruce Brunton Award for municipalities with a population of more than 150,000. This is Durham Region’s fourth time taking home the Bruce Brunton Award, also having won in 2008, 2011 and 2014.

To learn more about the Durham Region Works Department, visit durham.ca/works.

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.