By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The Town of LaSalle is introducing a new way to recognize the people who help shape its identity, with Mayor Crystal Meloche announcing the inaugural LaSalle Awards of Excellence.
The awards will celebrate individuals, teams, artists, businesses and community leaders whose contributions strengthen the town’s culture, innovation and community spirit.
“The Awards of Excellence gives us the opportunity to recognize members of our community who go above and beyond to represent LaSalle,” Meloche said. “We are including arts and culture, business and innovation, community and sports categories to ensure that various members of our community are celebrated.”
The awards will be presented during a celebration event on April 9, 2026, at the Event Centre at LaSalle Landing. Tickets will go on sale in March.
Nominations are now open, with recipients selected based on the strength of their nomination and how well they meet the criteria for their category. A committee of community members will review submissions. Nomination forms can be completed online, with hard copies available at the LaSalle Civic Centre and the Vollmer Complex. The deadline to submit nominations is Feb. 9.
Town officials note that if no nominees meet the criteria for a particular category, that award will not be presented this year. Nominees will be notified ahead of the celebration, and winners will be announced at the event.
Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels. More information about nominations and sponsorships can be found at www.lasalle.ca/communityawards.