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By Cailin Cousins

For two weeks this February, British Columbia became home to international athletes and fans during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Yesterday Williams Lake was host to an Olympic celebration once again.

Donna Barnett, MLA for Cariboo Chilcotin, introduced Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation George Abbott and Minister of Forests Pat Bell. Mr. Bell took a moment to acknowledge the Williams Lake Tourism Discovery Centre, calling it a 'spectacular facility'. "We have to get more pictures of this throughout the province to show what a Wood First culture is all about and what you can do with it," he said before explaining what the presentation was about.

(Photo: Shadow boxes containing an authentic 2010 Olympic Games medals tray, a photograph and a plaque were the gifts presented to Cariboo wood donors yesterday.)

"The Ministry of Forests and Range was asked to source the wood required for the production of 23 podiums which were to be featured at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 18 different species of wood were used in the 23 podiums. A large percentage of these were contributed by community forests, woodlots, and a few companies and individuals from across British Columbia," said Minister Bell. "We would like to take this opportunity to show our appreciation to four of them today."

Robin Hood and Tom Phillips of Likely Xat’sull Community Forest Ltd. were the first to receive a shadow box containing the wood tray which had been used to present medals at the Winter Games. Additionally, each shadowbox displayed a photograph of athletes celebrating on top of the podium built from the donated wood. Finally, they received a special edition, coffee-table book featuring all of the podiums, printed specifically to recognize donating licensees and others involved in the podium project.

André Chevigny and Peter Arnold of Pioneer Log Homes were recognized, followed by Rod Blake and Stephen Brown-John of the Cariboo Woodlot Association and the final presentation was made to Rick Welke of West Fraser Timber Company.

"Keep up the good work, Williams Lake. It's going to be a much brighter future for forestry over the next couple of years," concluded Minister Bell.

Mayor Kerry Cook thanked the Ministers and MLA for visiting Williams Lake, "We appreciate the opportunity to celebrate the wonderful contributions that our people have made to the Olympics," she said.

The presentation concluded with the visiting dignitaries signing each of the wood donors' special-edition books

Robin Hood and Tom Phillips of Likely Xat’sull Community Forest Ltd

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