Podium Garners Recognition from Province

Wednesday, September 29, 2010 12:00 PM

l-r Mayor David Raven-Revelstoke, Mayor Peter Milobar-Kamloops, Mayor Darren Inkster-Sechelt, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell, Mayor Sandra Harwood-Fort St. James, Mayor Stewart Alsgard-Powell River and Mayor Dan Rogers - Prince George

Whistler, B.C. – Prince George was one of six communities recognized today by the provincial Government for contributions to the 2010 Olympics.

Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell and government MLAs presented shadowboxes to the mayors of Prince George, Fort St. James, Kamloops, Powell River, Revelstoke and Sechelt, communities which donated wood for the creation of the medal podiums. The presentations were made this morning at the Union of B.C. Muncipalities convention in Whistler.

"The memory of athletes competing, and reaching the podium at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is an ongoing source of inspiration for millions worldwide," said Bell.

"But residents of many B.C. communities held a special connection - the podiums were made of wood grown and harvested by their neighbours."

Canadian figure skaters Tessa Virtue, Scott Moir and Joannie Rochette received medals on lodgepole pine harvested in Prince George, while Canadian speed skaters Christine Nesbitt, Kristina Groves, Clara Hughes and the men's pursuit team celebrated at the Richmond Oval on Douglas-fir from the Powell River community forest.

"The podium at the Richmond Olympic Oval was truly a magnificent piece of art, and amid my pre-competition nerves and pressure to perform, it inspired me and kept me focused on my goal," said Christine Nesbitt. "To win a gold medal and to be able to share it with Canada and the world, and atop something that had obviously been made from the heart and soul, is something that I truly cherish. For that moment was something that I had also put my heart and soul into achieving."

The mayors were presented with a special (30-inch x 30-inch x 4-inch) shadow box containing a medal tray identical to the ones used during the Games, and a photo of athletes celebrating on top of the podium. The recognition also included a special edition, coffee- table book featuring all of the podiums, printed specifically to recognize donating licensees and a letter of thanks from Premier Gordon Campbell.

The podiums were made from 18 wood types donated from community forest operators and other forest licensees around the province.

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