BC local governments recognized for leadership in wood design and building at 2018 Union of BC Municipalities Convention

WHISTLER, Sept. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - Leadership in structural and architectural wood use by local governments was recognized today at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in Whistler. Five local governments were presented with 2018 Community Recognition Awards for use of wood in their community projects by Wood WORKS! BC. The province-wide awards are presented annually to communities that have been exemplary advocates for wood. This may be demonstrated through the specification of wood in a community project and/or through visionary initiatives that work toward building a community culture of wood.

The 2018 recipients are:

LMLGA -- Lower Mainland Local Government Association: City of Surrey for the South Surrey Operations Centre | Township of Langley for the Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre. MERIT: City of Coquitlam for Rochester Park.

AKBLG -- Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments: Village of Radium Hot Springs for the Radium Hot Springs Community Centre and Library. MERIT: City of Kimberley for the Civic Centre North Wall Replacement.

NCLGA -- North Central Local Government Association: Village of Hazelton for the Upper Skeena Recreation Centre | Town of Smithers for the Smithers Airport. MERIT: City of Quesnel for South Quesnel Park.

Recipients of awards for Southern Interior Local Government Association and Vancouver Island Local Government Association will be announced when presented at their respective area association conventions in the spring. 

"We congratulate these five local governments for their leadership and vision by choosing wood for their new community structures," said Lynn Embury-Williams, Executive Director of Wood WORKS! BC.

"Through their new wood projects, these communities have realized wood's many benefits including cost-effectiveness, a reduced carbon footprint and enhancement of their streetscapes through beautiful and expressive new buildings. They have also demonstrated that traditional and new technologically advanced wood products and building systems can be used effectively and distinctly in many types and sizes of civic buildings," she stated. "It's exciting to see a community's wood culture built into their civic projects. We noted this year that many made it a priority to source BC wood products and local labour for construction, which deserves recognition, as they are telling the story of their community while helping secure prosperity for all of BC and the many communities which depend on forestry."

"Wood will continue to play a more significant role in local government projects as communities work toward goals such as net zero carbon and net zero energy buildings, lower building costs, increased urban density, liveability and affordability. We applaud these communities for further advancing wood use in design and building, leading us to a more sustainable future," she concluded.

Communities are asked to contact Wood WORKS! BC for technical expertise, training and education when considering their next local government project.

Wood WORKS! BC is a recognized resource to help BC communities follow the Wood First Act, which requires provincially funded buildings to feature wood as the primary construction material within the BC Building Code. For 20 years, Wood WORKS! BC has worked extensively with municipalities on all aspects of project planning from RFP wording to specification of structural and architectural wood products. Wood WORKS! BC's services are available free-of-charge.

Wood WORKS! BC is proud to be part of Wood Innovates BC, an online platform that profiles the latest BC expertise, resources and events relating to wood building, design, technology and innovation.

BACKGROUND:
Wood WORKS! is a national industry-led program of the Canadian Wood Council, with a goal to support innovation and provide leadership on the use of wood products and building systems. Through workshops, conferences, seminars and case studies, Wood WORKS! BC provides education, training and technical expertise to building and design professionals and local governments involved with commercial, institutional and industrial construction projects throughout the province. Since 1998, Wood WORKS! BC has facilitated practical, efficient, versatile and cost-effective building and design solutions through the use of wood -- the only sustainable, natural and renewable major building material on Earth. 

Related Links
http://wood-works.ca/bc/

SOURCE Canadian Wood Council for Wood WORKS! BC