The Elkford Community Conference Centre was presented with a Wood WORKS! BC Community Recognition Award at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Victoria on Tuesday.
Elkford’s Community Conference Centre opened its doors this June and has been widely recognised for being the first commercial application of Cross Laminated Timbers (CLT) wall panels in North America. The $6.4 million energy efficient building is constructed of structural wood, which conserves as much energy as possible to reduce the Centre’s environmental footprint.
Elkford was one of five communities recognised for their innovative use and advocacy of wood. Also honoured with the Wood WORKS! Award were the municipalities of Cowichan, Telkwa, Princeton, and Vancouver. The awards are given out annually to communities who serve as exemplary advocates for wood through community projects and initiatives.
"These communities have demonstrated leadership and vision by embracing wood in their local projects, and we congratulate them on the wood design excellence they display," stated Mary Tracey, Executive Director for Wood WORKS! BC. "They have highlighted wood products and systems in an array of project types and applications. They have showcased the strength, beauty and versatility of wood, and have demonstrated how using wood makes projects better, and our communities stronger."
Tracey went on to say, "Communities in B.C. are proud to use wood, as there is a strong historical context for its use. However, the overwhelming reasons are the environmental and socio-economic benefits, further advancing our wood culture, and leading us to a more sustainable way of life in the future of this province."
Wood WORKS! is a Canadian Wood Council initiative and has worked with B.C. municipalities on a variety of projects, including fire halls, arenas, and recreation centres. Through workshops, seminars, and case studies, the program provides education, training, and technical expertise to local governments to ensure the continued use of wood in construction projects throughout the province.