Wood Works! BC A key resource for BC communities
Wood WORKS! BC provides cost-effective solutions and technical support for structural and architectural wood applications for community projects ranging from firehalls to arenas and recreation centres. The provincial government has asked Wood WORKS! BC to assist municipalities in the development of Wood First Act wood resolutions, procurement policies, RFP wording, and design specifications. Wood WORKS! BC is able to provide technical assistance to staff, design teams and contractors as well as guidance in a variety of areas including procurement, sustainability, code and fire issues, communications and innovation in design.
“There are many cost-effective applications for structural and architectural wood products in contemporary designs. Expert advice and assistance is always available at Wood WORKS! BC.” Wood First Initiative website – Ministry of Forests, “We are fortunate to have the expertise and knowledge of Wood WORKS! BC available to us as we strive to build a wood culture here in BC. We encourage municipalities to utilize this tremendous information resource when building provincially-funded community projects.”
One municipal project that benefitted from Wood WORKS! BC involvement was the Armstrong arena, constructed in 2005. “We wanted to build our arena with wood for many reasons,” describes Mayor Chris Pieper of Armstrong. “We were wanting to support our province’s and our local forest industry, and we also wanted to use wood because it’s a sustainable and renewable material that has a lot of aesthetic appeal.” He continues, “Wood WORKS! BC was a great resource for us as they provided unbiased technical support and really kept the project tied together. It was a very worthwhile and valuable consultation as it ended with a positive outcome – our community is thrilled with our new arena.”
Mayor Chris Pieper, Armstrong, Project Coordinator for Armstrong and Spallumcheen Councils, Nor-Val Recreation Centre
“All the wood in the arena was milled and logged locally. It gives you a real sense of pride to be able to do that in your own community. I love wood. Wood is a lot nicer looking, a lot friendlier, a lot warmer. Wood’s classy, I think. It’s a personal preference.”
Councillor Dave Brew, Township of Spallumcheen & Mayor Chris Pieper, City of Armstrong
Mayor Lawrence Chernoff, Castlegar City Hall
“There is a connection between wood and this community and this building is a true representation of the community’s spirit. Wood enhances the building tremendously. The warmth of wood really enhances any project. People are enthralled with the warmth they feel when they walk in. I couldn’t imagine this building without wood.”
Mayor Lawrence Chernoff
Gerry Epp, Engineer, StructureCraft, Bridge of Dreams in Princeton
“Wood occupies a prominent place in the palette of structural materials we work with because of its natural aesthetic and versatility. As an engineer, I am fascinated with the variety of opportunities offered by this undervalued material.”
Gerry Epp, StructureCraft
John Pao, Engineer, Bogdonov Pao Associates, Coquitlam Recreation Centre
“Wood has an advantage over other materials because it is much easier to work with, which allows me to be more creative. It is a cost-effective building product for the right projects. You can fall in love with a wood building because it is so warm and it is such an expressive material.”
John Pao, Bogdonov Pao Associates Ltd.