COMMUNITY TRUST MAKING BIATHLON VENUE WORLD CLASS

CASTLEGAR – Five forest workers are upgrading the Hannah Creek biathlon venue to international standards through the support of $198,500 from the Job Opportunities Program, Community Development Minister Blair Lekstrom and Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

“Improving the Hannah Creek recreation area is a wonderful example of how we can harness the skills and talents of our forest workers to improve our communities,” said Bell. “By keeping these workers in their hometowns, we’ll have a capable and trained workforce ready to go when the forest sector rebounds.”

The venue upgrade will give area residents access to a recreation site that meets International Biathlon Union standards and will enable Hannah Creek to serve as a training centre for beginners, and advanced and Olympic-level athletes. The improvements will also make it possible for Hannah Creek to host provincial, national and international biathlon competitions.

“The Community Development Trust is one of our key tools to assist families during this difficult time,” said Lekstrom. “We are pleased to be able to provide employment for workers, while improving the area’s recreation infrastructure. Holding regular competitions at Hannah Creek is expected to bring hundreds of return visitors to the area.”

Biathlon combines the high energy of cross-country skiing with the fine motor skills of target shooting. The project includes expansion and improvements to the recreation area’s trail network, the construction of a winter shelter, and the removal of hazardous trees and branches. Forest workers will also enhance the biathlon area by improving the safety berm and target platform.

“These improvements will help establish our region as a centre of excellence for biathlon,” said George Apel, vice-president of Biathlon B.C. “The upgraded trails and amenities will provide a solid training ground for some of the province’s most competitive athletes, and help them reach the podium.”

The $26.25-million Job Opportunities Program is helping reduce the impact of current layoffs on workers employed in the forest industry, retain skilled forest workers for the anticipated future upturn, and preserve the characteristics of the labour force in forest-dependent communities.

Forest-dependent communities or organizations, licensees and contractors working in cooperation with a forest-dependent community are eligible to submit a project proposal to the Job Opportunities Program. So far, 51 projects totalling more than $8 million have been approved across the province.

The Job Opportunities Program is one component of the Community Development Trust, launched in the spring of 2008. The Trust provides $129 million over three years, with funds also directed to a Tuition Assistance program and Transition Assistance for Older Workers program.

For more information about the Community Development Trust and Job Opportunities Program, go to: www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/

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Media

Contact:

Jennifer McLarty

Public Affairs Officer

Ministry of Forests and Range

250 387-4592

George Apel

Vice-president

Biathlon BC

250 365-7653

Leanne Ritchie

Public Affairs Officer

Ministry of Community Development

250 387-4089




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