May 21, 2010
McBride Rewarded for Community Forest Olympic Contributions

MCBRIDE – Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond presented McBride with a special “Shadow Box” gift of appreciation for the McBride Community Forest’s contributions of wood used for podiums at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

“The McBride Community Forest was able to showcase their quality products quite literally on the world stage at the 2010 Olympics,” said Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond during a visit to McBride today. “We thank them for their generous support and incredible spirit in contributing towards the Olympic wooden podiums.”

The shadow box was constructed by Three Dimensional Services in Vancouver.  It is made from edge-grain Douglas Fir, has a tempered glass front, and are about 30" x 30" x 4", displaying a 14 x 22 inch photo of an athlete celebrating on the podium.

“Donating wood to the Olympic podium project is the perfect example of McBride’s spirit and what the Community Forest can do,” said Marc von der Gonna, General Manager of the McBride Community Forest Corporation. “We may be small, but our entrepreneurial spirit and forestry are world class.”

The twenty-three official podiums used at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were made from eighteen wood types donated from community forests from around the province. The Western Hemlock podium used at the Whistler Medals Plaza was harvested and donated by McBride for individual victory ceremonies including alpine skiing, luge, and ski jumping events. Assembled from 241 pieces, it is 478 centimeters long, 171 cm deep, and 50 cm at its tallest point. British Columbia’s Ministry of Forests and Range sourced the wood and coordinated podium production.

“I am very proud that McBride was able to participate in this most unique way,” added Bond. “In the years ahead when we look at the photos of the Olympians who won medals in alpine skiing, luge, or ski jumping, we will remember they were standing on a little piece of McBride.”

The wood podiums highlight the importance of forestry in British Columbia. A global leader in sustainable forest management, the provincial government works with community forests to maintain and celebrate the future of B.C.’s forest industry.

The McBride Community Forest was one of the first in British Columbia. It covers 60,000 hectares and supplies cedar, spruce, pine, fir, birch and hemlock. It is the largest employer in McBride and has generated more than $2 million in community dividends. McBride’s success has helped pave the way for more than 50 planned or operating community forests around the province. Local forest operations turn out fencing, flooring, landscaping products, log homes, hot tub surrounds, and guitars.

Visit Shirley’s website at www.shirleybondmla.bc.ca

-30-