The Town of Oakville to Receive 2010 PRINCE OF WALES PRIZE for Municipal
Heritage Leadership

OTTAWA, Sept. 28 /CNW/ - The Heritage Canada Foundation is pleased to announce that the Town of Oakville, Ontario, has been selected to receive the 2010 PRINCE OF WALES PRIZE for Municipal Heritage Leadership.

In keeping with His Royal Highness' commitment to architecture, the environment, and inner-city renewal, The Prince of Wales agreed in 1999 to lend his title to the creation of a prize to be awarded annually to the government of a municipality which has demonstrated its strong and sustained commitment to the conservation of its historic places.

The Town of Oakville has been committed to conserving its heritage resources for over six decades. It acquired and preserved its first heritage building in 1948, began a plaquing program in 1957, and incorporated heritage policies Official Plan in 1962, putting Oakville on the map as a leader in building preservation. In the 1970s, Oakville was quick to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the new Ontario Heritage Act; designating and today it has designated over 120 properties and three conservation districts.

A Municipal Heritage Planning Committee, was established in 1976 with responsibilities for policy development, has provided a proactive approach to preserving built heritage. The policies created in the past 35 years have helped ensure that over 90 percent of Oakville's historic building stock present then, continues to exist today.

Oakville's long-term commitment to heritage conservation is also evident in its Planning Department, where the heritage planning staff is integrated into the broader urban design and planning decision process.

Along with the municipality, heritage advocates, homeowners and community volunteers work tirelessly to maintain the history and the character of Oakville.

For information about the Town of Oakville, click here.

For the second time since the inception of the Prince of Wales Prize, the jury made a unanimous decision to award an Honourable Mention to the City of Calgary, where efforts to develop policies and plans that favour the conservation of the city's built heritage have been ongoing for 30 years.

For information about the City of Calgary, click here.

The Prince of Wales Prize, which consists of a plaque, framed scroll and flag with the insignia of The Prince of Wales and the Heritage Canada Foundation, will be presented to Mayor Rob Burton at the 2010 National Awards Gala and Reception in St. John's Newfoundland later this month.

The Town of Oakville was nominated by lifelong resident and heritage volunteer, Barbara Savage.

For further information:

Carolyn Quinn, HCF Director of Communications, [email protected]
Telephone: [phone] ext. 229; Cell: 613-797-7206