History of SICA How it all Started
The Kamloops and District Building Exchange & The South Okanagan Contractors Association
The Kamloops & District Building Exchange was created in 1960 by a group of contractors. The purpose was to create a central location for members to view plans. The demand grew and in 1967 the need to expand was facilitated with a full time staff person in a self-contained building. The South Okanagan Contractors Association was formed by J.W. Dalrymple and H.S. Kenyon in 1948. As the membership grew, it became apparent that the two organizations could function more efficiently as one. The organizations became one in 1962, and in 1969 the Southern Interior Construction Association was registered under the Societies Act.
- SICA was formed in 1962 and registered in 1969 as a society.
- In 1969, the society had 131 members which was a 62% increase from inception at 81 members.
- Today SICA membership is 630
- SICA’s first Executive: Paul Wise, Dave Woods, and Mel Taylor
The first SICA President was Howard Strong. There have been only two additional Presidents in our history: Dave Robertson and Debbie Hicks.
- SICA created BCCA with a membership in 1968. Official status under the Societies Act was given in 1969.
- Bid Depository was the topic of the day in 1969.
- Lead by Frank Luciani, we built the first SICA building in Kamloops in 1974 at a cost of $55,000 with debentures purchased by the members at 9% interest (where did those days go!)
- First Female Chair of the board in 1995 was Linda Patterson
- 1982 – “things could hardly be better with plans pouring into the office”; 1983 – “things have bottomed out”.
- In 1972, SICA added the Kootenays through the use of Bid Depository.
- In 1978, the first SICA scholarship was structured.
- In 1979, Kamloops membership was 153 and Kelowna was 88, today Kelowna is 300 and Kamloops is 128
Gone is the day when:
- A $25/month increase was the norm for senior mgmt. and car allowance was $0.12/mile.
- The Board would discuss of $78.45 expense claims
- Dues were $10-$22/month
- There were 13 standing committees of the Board and today there are five.
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