To celebrate local government awareness week, we’re profiling winners of the 2025 Community Excellence Awards winners. These projects exemplify the best in local government governance and service delivery.
The District of Saanich won the 2025 UBCM Community Excellence Awards Presidents Committee Choice Award for its Asset Management Strategy and Implementation Plan. This plan was recognized for the forward‑thinking approach to managing community assets and delivering services sustainably.
Before this initiative, like many growing communities, Saanich had strong asset‑related work happening across departments but no single, coordinated roadmap to bring it all together. The absence of a formal asset management strategy made it harder to align infrastructure decisions, financial planning, climate resilience and service levels over the long term – which increased risk as assets aged and demand grew.
When Saanich developed its Asset Management Strategy and Implementation Plan, it established a clear, organization‑wide framework focused on sustainable service delivery, backed by ten strategic themes and 48 prioritized projects to be delivered over the next five years.
Built through strong cross‑departmental collaboration, the strategy connects asset planning with long‑term financial sustainability, climate change considerations, and transparent public reporting. The Presidents Committee Choice Award recognizes Saanich’s leadership in turning complex challenges into a clear plan of action – and highlights the strategy as a model other local governments can follow across British Columbia.
Applications for the 2026 Community Excellence Awards are open until May 29.
One of the objectives of the Community Excellence Awards is to encourage peer-to-peer learning among local governments, by highlighting exceptional projects. To learn more about Saanich’s Asset Management Program online, get in touch with Harley Machielse, Director of Engineering (250-475-5446) or Jacqueline Weston, Asset Management Program Manager (250-475-5495)
The Community Excellence Awards recognize local governments and UBCM member First Nations projects or programs that have gone above and beyond in meeting the purposes of local government in BC. The awards are intended to showcase outstanding initiatives and share them with other members to implement in their own communities.
The Presidents Committee Choice Award provides an opportunity for recognition for an outstanding, unique and/or special project that would otherwise not be recognized through the adjudication process. Candidates for this award are identified for exemplary demonstration of excellence in meeting objectives of local government, or outstanding achievement in a current issue faced by local governments.