The Mill Creek flood protection project delivered on behalf of the City of Kelowna by CIMA+. Photo credit: cima.ca/
KELOWNA – The Mill Creek flood protection project delivered on behalf of the City of Kelowna by CIMA+ has earned international recognition from the 2025 Global Infrastructure Awards from the International Federation of Consulting Engineers.
The announcement was made in Cape Town, South Africa on September 24, and the project was awarded top prize in the Small to Medium Project category.
The award winning venture involved upgrading an existing diversion structure to reduce flood risk by redirecting excess water from Mill Creek to Mission Creek and included the construction of a dam and dike. Upgrades also restored upstream fish passage and enhanced in-stream habitat to support fish and wildlife, contributing to both flood resilience and ecosystem health.
The project also provided meaningful social and economic benefits to the community. By reducing flood risk in a densely developed urban area, the project protected over 1,650 properties and key infrastructure—such as roads, utilities and emergency access routes—within a 3.4 km² zone. This significantly reduced the risk of flood-related damage, costly repairs and service disruptions.
“This international recognition is a powerful testament to the talent and teamwork of our people. It also reflects CIMA+’s commitment to creating resilient infrastructure and contributing to a more sustainable world,” says Denis Thivierge, President and CEO of CIMA+.
The project also stood out for its engagement with Indigenous communities and its economic impact, involving more than 10 local and Indigenous-owned businesses throughout the planning and construction process.
“This award celebrates the strength of partnerships and the power of engineering to address both climate challenges and community needs. We are proud to have collaborated with the City of Kelowna and local stakeholders to deliver a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready solution for flood protection and environmental infrastructure,” notes Ali Malekian, Senior Project Manager at CIMA+.
Ali Taleb, Senior Director at CIMA+, adds “For CIMA+, being recognized on the global stage by FIDIC is a great honour. It showcases not only our ability to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to complex challenges, but also the relevance of Canadian expertise in advancing infrastructure resilience worldwide.”
CIMA+, founded in 1990, provides consulting engineering services in the areas of Energy and Resources, Infrastructure, Transportation, Buildings, Project Management, Operational and Digital Technologies (including Telecommunication Systems), and Earth and Environment.
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