“Commenting on the SAM Award finalists, CHBA’s Incoming President, Ron Olson, noted that, “This year’s SAM Award theme – Create and Transform – says it all; these new home builders, renovators and developers are indeed creating and transforming communities across the country in exceptional ways.  The quality and crativity they have demonstrated is truly remarkable and exciting.”"

The awards will be presented at the Association’s 69th National Conference on March 17, 2012 in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.  We’re very excited – and will keep you posted!

Compliments of the Ottawa Sun

• Renovations/additions under $60,000 — Amsted Construction Ltd. and Chuck Mills Residential Design & Development Inc.
• Custom kitchens 160 to 219 sq. ft.
• Custom bathrooms 90 sq. ft. or less
• Green renovation, entire home
• Enbridge Hall of Fame Award for “Outstanding and Lasting Contributions to Ottawa Housing”

Steve Barkhouse:

“This was a stellar year for Amsted!  Being recognized for a front home/porch renovation, a kitchen renovation, a bathroom renovation, and finally a “whole” green renovation just speaks to the diversity of our team, whom I’m so proud of.  Receiving the Enbridge Hall of Fame Award from our peers just topped off an amazing night.  It’s a privilege to work with such a great team, and I wish everyone, the carpenters, the tilers, the designers, all of our team, could have been there to accept these awards.”

We are pleased to have Mayor Jim Watson officially open the Living Room on Friday, October 28th, and extend an invitation to the neighbourhood, past and present clients, and to our suppliers.  Time is from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.  Location is our Living Room, located at 770 Highland Avenue, just north of Carling Avenue.

Amsted and Restore-All joined forces for the seventh year the weekend of September 9-11 to put our skills to good use helping with various construction projects for Camp Smitty.  We raised and leveled the main office, and replaced it’s deck; we converted a portable to a new rec hall, complete with new windows, door, wood siding, and a deck; we demolished a building that was no longer needed; we interlocked a new patio for a new log building; we painted the basketball court; we planted trees and cleared brush.

Everyone that participated left feeling tired but light of heart.  What a fantastic team building event that also gives back to the community. 

“We’ve been with Guild Quality since 2006.  It is a pleasure to be recognized and given Master standard.” – Steve Barkhouse, Owner, Amsted Design-Build

About GuildQuality

North America’s best builders, remodelers, contractors and real estate developers rely on GuildQuality’s customer satisfaction surveying to help them monitor and improve the quality of their service.

About the Guildmaster Awards

Once a year, GuildQuality recognizes exceptional customer service with the Guildmaster Awards.  Visit the Buildmaster section of the GuildQuality website to see information about all 2011 Award Winners and read about the award qualifications.

The presentation area is literally a living room, with a cozy fireplace, comfy chairs, a big screen TV (ideal for displaying our plans), and a large table in the middle where together, we can plan that beautiful new family room where you can gather to open your presents on Christmas morning, or that sumptuous new bathroom where you can pamper yourself in privacy and luxury, or even that big front porch ideal for a first kiss.

It’s a friendly, welcoming environment, where dreams can be explored and design ideas brought to life – all over a hot cup of coffee.

770 Highland Avenue - a convenient meeting location in Ottawa

A spacious and comfortable setting to discuss plans for your home

Camp Smitty exists today – modern, well-maintained and funded, revenue producing and community-building – because of the generousity of Ottawa’s construction industry.

In fact, the Boys and Girls Club camp was in pretty rough shape and in danger of closing before the start of the new millennium. Its facilities were mostly a mish-mash of haphazardly constructed “camp-style” structures from the 1930’s to 1960’s, lacking solid foundations, flush toilets and even minimal insulation.

As Camp Director, former Police Youth Centre Director and one-time camp participant the very thought of having to discontinue such an historic Boys and Girls Club program both saddened and motivated Patrick. “Camp Smitty is a story of great people,” says Patrick, who met his wife there and has sent his children there. “Once they see camp in session they want to do more. Hearing the stories is one thing but seeing them unfold is something else.”

Located on 28 acres at the edge of Mink Lake in the Ottawa Valley, it was founded as Camp Minwassin in 1924 and renamed in 2001 to recognize the contribution CTV sportscaster Brian “Smitty” Smith had made to the community before being killed in 1995. Smith, a former NHL player, attended Camp Minwassin as a young teenager.

Today, four summer camp sessions each accommodate 100 children aged eight to 15 years old. On average 70 percent receive significant financial support. Many attend despite having experienced very traumatic life situations. Children’s Aid refers about 50 kids a year.

In 2006 the Ottawa Senator’s Alumni, with Brad Marsh’s enthusiastic support, committed to raising $500,000 for the camp. To date they have raised $300,000, which has been used to build two new washroom blocks and a senior staff cabin, with more to come.

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But how do you describe him?

There isn’t one word to sum him up. A dozen couldn’t do it. But if you were to try, you’d probably say, right off the bat, words like this: Energetic. Principled. Caring. Upbeat. Team member. Devoted to family. Focused. Perfectionist. Healthy. Young. Enthusiastic. Confident. Natural. Easy to talk to. Articulate. Driven. Good listener. Great with people.

Most of all, however, you’d pick up on the word “principled”.

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