OTTAWA, May 22, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The race is on! What locations will be named this year's Great Places in Canada?
Where do you like to hang out? Is there a street, neighbourhood or public space you really love? Does your favourite location have the charm and the attributes to be considered truly great?
The fourth annual Great Places in Canada competition is about to get underway:
When: May 22, 2014, nominations begin
Who: open to all Canadians
Where: contest takes place online at http://www.greatplacesincanada.ca/en/
"This is an exciting contest with people from every corner of Canada getting involved in voting for their special place," said Michael Gordon, President of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) which hosts the competition.
Last year, over 100,000 people voted. "Canadians are very passionate about the many wonderful locations in this country," Gordon added. "So there is a great deal of friendly rivalry over what street, neighbourhood and public space will be recognized as Great Places this year."
This year, nominations will be accepted from May 22 until August 19. The voting period begins August 20 and ends September 25. Winners will be announced on World Town Planning Day, November 7.
Grand Prize winners are selected on the basis of planning excellence as judged by a panel of experts. People's Choice Awards are based solely on the number of votes.
Winning nominators will receive fabulous prizes, and plaques will be awarded to the grand prize winning places.
The past winners have been:
Grand Prize Awards
2013
Great Street: Lacombe's Historic Main Street, Lacombe, AB
Great Neighbourhood: Old South/ Wortley Village, London, ON
Great Public Space: Saint John City Market, Saint John, NB
2012
Great Street:Queen Street, Fredericton, NB
Great Neighbourhood:Osborne Village, Winnipeg MB
Great Public Space:Cape Forchu Lighthouse, Yarmouth, NS
2011
Great Street: Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC
Great Neighbourhood: Le Petit Champlain, Québec, QC
Great Public Space: The Forks, Winnipeg, MB
People's Choice Awards
2013
Great Street: 2013 Courthouse Square, Goderich, ON
Great Neighbourhood: Old South/ Wortley Village, London, ON
Great Public Space: McAdam Train Station, McAdam, NB
2012
Great Street: Osborne Street, Winnipeg, MB
Great Neighbourhood: Woodfield, London, ON
Great Public Space: The South March Highlands, Ottawa, ON
CIP is also pleased to announce some very special sponsors of the contest this year. "We'd like to thank Tim Hortons and Via Rail for joining in this initiative, for their strong commitment to Canadian communities, and for their support in helping to celebrate Canada in this unique way," Gordon noted.
So come on, Canada. Get out and vote at http://www.greatplacesincanada.ca/en/.
Photos of last year's winners are available at www.greatplacesincanada.ca/en/media.asp
Follow Great Places in Canada on Facebook and @GreatPlacesCA on Twitter for regular updates.
For interviews, contact:
Niki Kerimova
niki@prpost.ca
416-777-0368
VIA Rail Canada, as the national rail passenger service, provides efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective passenger transportation to Canadian travellers, and service in both official languages. Every week VIA operates 503 intercity, transcontinental and regional trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500 kilometers route network. VIA transports over four million passengers annually. Please visit www.viarail.ca.
The Canadian Institute of Planners was established in 1919 and has a membership of 7,800 professional planners. The Institute collaborates with provincial affiliates to set professional standards for training, certification and best practices in planning across Canada. Please visit www.cip-icu.ca.