The B.C. Games Society has unveiled a new design for the ceremonial podiums and medals that will be part of the B.C. Winter and B.C. Summer Games.
The podiums and medals will make their debut at the 2012 B.C. Winter Games in Greater Vernon, Feb. 23 to 26.
The new medal podiums were designed and created by the Tradeworks Fabrication Shop (FabShop) that gained notoriety for building thousands of items for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Games including the medal podiums.
The FabShop is an innovative program that trains youth at risk to give them the skills needed to move into the work force. The new podiums are a tiered circular design that features reclaimed B.C. beetle wood.
“It was an honour to design and build the medal podiums for the B.C. Games,” said Mark Hetherington, manager of the FabShop.
“Our trainees not only have learned valuable skills but, will see their hard work appreciated by athletes who will receive their medals on these podiums for years to come.”
The gold, silver, and bronze medals that are awarded to B.C.’s best young developing athletes have also been redesigned in collaboration with Kerr’s Recognition Services.
The new medals are a modern design that is a keepsake for the medal winners.
“Sport supports healthy B.C. families and strong local businesses in communities across our province,” said Ida Chong, community development minister.
“Training is a focal point of the B.C. Jobs Plan, and the young people at FabShop are learning skills that will help them build a prosperous future in our provincial economy.”
The Winter Games will bring more than 2,000 athletes, coaches and officials to Greater Vernon.
Volunteers are currently needed for the Games.
