NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2010FOR0020-000248 March 10, 2010

Ministry of Forests and Range

 

PARALYMPIC PODIUMS TELL STORIES OF THE CARIBOO

 

WILLIAMS LAKE – Cariboo residents can watch Paralympic champions celebrate on podiums built from wood from Horsefly and Williams Lake, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

 

“The podiums tell the story of how British Columbian communities create local employment and benefits through sustainable forest management,” said Bell. “British Columbians feel great pride in their communities and these podiums help share our tradition of forestry excellence with the world.”

 

A podium built of Interior Douglas-fir donated by the Cariboo Woodlot Association will be used nightly at 7 p.m. from Saturday, March 13 to Thursday, March 18 at the Whistler Medals Plaza. Information on the two families near Horsefly and Williams Lake that harvested, milled and donated the wood is available at: www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/Olympics/podiums/Podium_Profile_Cariboo.pdf.

 

West Fraser Timber donated the Subalpine Fir used to build a podium for the following alpine skiing events at Whistler Creekside:

 

Saturday, March 13      11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.         Downhill, all classes, men and women

Sunday, March 14        11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.    Super G- standing, men and women

Monday, March 15      11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.    Super G- sitting, visually impaired, men and women

Tuesday, March 16      1-3 p.m.                       Super Combined, men and women

Thursday, March 18     1-3 p.m.                       Giant Slalom- standing, men and women

Friday, March 19        1-3 p.m.                       Giant Slalom- sitting, visually impaired, men and                                                                        women

Saturday, March 20      1-3 p.m.                       Slalom- standing, men and women

Sunday, March 21        1-3 p.m.                       Slalom- sitting, visually impaired, men and women

 

More information on the people involved in Williams Lake, including a quote from Rick Hansen is at www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/Olympics/podiums/Podium_Profile_Williams_Lake_West_Fraser.pdf .

 

There are five podiums in use for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games. They range from six to 15 metres in length, are about five metres deep and 30 cm high. Each podium is assembled from more than 200 wooden pieces. Profiles for each of the 23 Olympic and Paralympic podiums, including community, donor and contact information is at www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/Olympics/podiums.

 

The wood podiums highlight the importance of forestry in British Columbia. The province is a global leader in sustainable forest management and the world’s largest exporter of softwood lumber, paper and bio-energy products that help mitigate climate change and provide innovative solutions to green building and energy needs.

 

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Contact:

Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-8482

 

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