Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre. Image: CNW Group/ Canadian Wood Council for Wood WORKS! BC
Six local governments in Canada were recognised for their leadership in the use of wood in their community projects. The Wood WORKS! BC Community Recognition Awards are presented annually to communities that have been exemplary advocates for wood.
The 2017 recipients are:
Lower Mainland Local Government Association (4 awards): Metro Vancouver for the Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre; District of North Vancouver for the Delbrook Community Recreation Centre; City of Richmond for the Alexandra District Energy Building; City of Surrey for the Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre
Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments: Village of Salmo for the 6th Street Pedestrian Covered Bridge
North Central Local Government Association: City of Quesnel/Cariboo Regional District for the West Fraser Centre
“We salute these winning communities for building their civic projects with wood, and for helping to build a wood culture in BC,” said Lynn Embury-Williams, executive director of Wood WORKS! BC. “We are seeing an unparalleled level of interest in wood by communities as they recognise the role wood can play in reducing their carbon footprint and achieving their climate action goals. The result is the use of wood products and building systems in an array of community project types, sizes and applications as both a structural and architectural building material.”
Advances in engineered timber building materials and systems have led to more affordable buildings, which is appealing to local governments who want to make the most of scarce building budgets.
Wood will continue to play a more significant role in local government projects as communities are demanding high performance buildings to reach their required sustainability goals, Embury-Williams said.
“By choosing wood as the primary building material, communities are expressing their support for their local labour pool and materials for construction, building prosperity in their communities.”
