The Floating Home Champion Award was created in 2017 as a means of recognizing individuals or organizations who have been significant advocates for, and have advanced the mission of the association. This year, it’s our pleasure to award the Floating Home Champion Award 2020 to Michael Owen, Co-owner and General Manager of Ladner Reach Marina in Delta, BC.

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Mike Owen is well known to many members of the floating home community for his tireless advocacy for the floating home lifestyle. An entrepreneur at heart, Mike has always been an active member of the community of Delta. For over 30 years he has operated marine focused businesses along the Fraser River.

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His accomplishments are documented by awards such as Delta’s Citizen of the Year in 2002 and induction into the Fraser River Hall of Fame in 2013. The Fraser River Discovery Centre president said, “throughout Mr. Owen’s involvement in river-related issues, he has always considered the good of his community of Delta. His dedication to the river and his community spans decades and has touched many.”

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His civic contributions include President of the Delta Chamber of Commerce and Ladner Business Association. His involvement in other community and regional activities includes serving as Delta’s representative to BC Transit for the Vancouver Richmond Rapid Transit Extension, Finance Chair to the Delta Millennium Committee, Director for Port Metro Commercial Users Group, Chair of the Commercial Users Group Nominations Committee and member on a number of committees including the Delta Riverside Area Plan, Delta Advisory Planning Committee, Transportation Task Force, Tsawwassen First Nations Treaty Advisory Committee, Ladner Leisure Center and Ladner Harbour Strategy Committee.

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Mike is a founding member of the Floating Home Association of BC. His work resulted in the creation of safe, enjoyable floating home communities, including his own community of Ladner Reach Marina, a former industrial parcel of Ladner waterfront that was transformed into a charming community of floating homes.

Mike is a tireless advocate for the river, both from a commercial user perspective and for the floating home community and a most deserving recipient of the 2020 Floating Home Champion Award.