Maple Ridge, B.C., February 20, 2026 – The City of Maple Ridge celebrated the recipients of the 2026 Heritage Awards at a special ceremony held last night at the Albion Community Centre, recognizing individuals, organizations, and sites that contribute to preserving and sharing the community's rich history.
The Heritage Awards honour efforts that support heritage conservation, awareness, and education, and are one component of the City's broader commitment to recognizing, conserving, and promoting Maple Ridge's heritage through policy, planning, and community partnerships.
"Our community identity is shaped by both our history and how we choose to grow," said Mayor Dan Ruimy. "This year's honourees have demonstrated outstanding commitment to preserving and sharing the stories that ground us, even as Maple Ridge continues to evolve. On behalf of Council and the community, I offer my sincere congratulations and appreciation for the impact they are making."
2026 Heritage Award Recipients
Recipients were selected through a public nomination process, followed by evaluation and voting by the Liveable Community Advisory Committee. One recipient was selected in each category based on established criteria and alignment with the purpose of the award.
The 2026 Heritage Award recipients are:
- Heritage Site Award: Matt and Deanna Laity – Brookfield Farm
- Bernice Gehring History Hero Award: Gina Armstrong and Victoria Vancek
- Sheila Nickols Award: Raymond Nakamura
- Stewardship of a Community Cultural Asset Award: Whonnock Post Office
- Youth Heritage Award: 1st Haney Cub Scouts
For details on each award category and the recipients, visit MapleRidge.ca/HeritageAwards.
Heritage Grant Program Recipients
The City also recognized recipients of the Heritage Grant Program at the event, a pilot initiative that provides financial support for eligible heritage projects led by residents, organizations, and members of local First Nations.
James Rowley received a built heritage grant for conservation work at the historic Whitehead Residence, built in 1923 and representative of early 20th-century Port Hammond. Funding will support the installation of storm windows on the home's remaining single-paned windows, improving energy efficiency while preserving the building's character-defining features.
The Maple Ridge Historical Society received a cultural heritage grant to support a translation project that will make a basic introduction to Maple Ridge’s history available in multiple spoken languages and American Sign Language, expanding accessibility for museum visitors.
For details on the grant program, visit MapleRidge.ca/HeritageGrant.
Supporting Heritage in Maple Ridge
In addition to the Heritage Awards and Grant Program, the City supports heritage conservation through a range of initiatives, including maintaining and updating the Heritage Inventory and Heritage Register, advancing heritage projects and research, and undertaking regular reviews of the City’s Heritage Plan to reflect a broad and inclusive approach to heritage.
For more information about the Heritage Awards and the City's Heritage Program, contact Amanda Grochowich, Manager of Community Planning, at AGrochowich@MapleRidge.ca and 604-679-9846.
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