Stuart Holmes receives Mayor’s City Builder Award

Mayor Jim Watson and Osgoode Ward Councillor George Darouze presented a Mayor’s City Builder Award to Stuart Holmes at today’s City Council meeting, recognizing 40 years of leadership and volunteer work improving the quality of life of residents of Osgoode and the surrounding area.

Stuart, a resident of Osgoode since 1950, retired in 1986 after 40 years as a school teacher and principal. But rather than relax in his retirement years, Stuart devoted even more time to coaching various sports for both children and adults, and leading volunteer committees devoted to enhancing recreational activities, essential community services and the work of local social-service organizations.

He played a pivotal leadership role in the building of the Osgoode Community Centre and the first covered ice surface in Osgoode, and continued to work with the community and municipal Council to have artificial ice installed, to refurbish and expand the community centre, and to install lighted ball fields and a tennis court. Fittingly, the City of Ottawa and the community of Osgoode paid tribute to Stuart by renaming the community centre the Stuart Holmes Arena.

Stuart’s work as a volunteer and leader over the past 40 years has improved the quality of life for Osgoode area residents in the areas of municipal services, public education, home support, non-profit housing and long-term care. Notably, he served on the board of directors of the Osgoode Care Centre for 13 years, five of them as chairman, and has served the community for nearly 35 years as a charter member of the Osgoode and District Lions Club.

The Mayor’s City Builder Award is a civic honour created to recognize an individual, group or organization that has, through outstanding volunteerism or exemplary action, demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to making our city a better place today and for the future. This may include lifelong service, outstanding acts of kindness, inspiring charitable work, community building or other exemplary achievements. Individuals, groups or organizations may be nominated by members of City Council or the public. The award is presented at the beginning of each City Council meeting.