District of Squamish Public Works Week celebration recognized

Left to Right: Bob Smith, Director of Public Works; Scott Lamont, Operations Supervisor; Eric Houghton, Public Works Labourer; Caroline Waters, Public Works Coordinator; Benjamin Kineshanko, Technical Operations Manager

The District of Squamish has been recognized by the Public Works Association of British Columbia (PWABC) with a Community Celebration Award for the District’s annual Public Works Day celebrations. The day in May sees 200 grade four students from across Squamish immersed in public works activities to help highlight the critical role public works plays in communities across B.C. The award was presented to the District of Squamish Public Works Department at the PWABC Annual Technical Conference and Trade Show in Penticton in September.

“This award really shines a spotlight on the important role our hard-working public works staff play in the day-to-day running of our community,” says District of Squamish Mayor Patricia Heintzman. “We take for granted that water will come out of our taps, roads and trails will be safe to travel on, and playgrounds and sports fields will be maintained for our children. Congratulations to the staff who helped us win this award, and thanks for the passion and pride you display every day in your work that you do to impact everyone’s quality of life.”

The award was judged on a selection of criteria including public outreach, education, staff involvement and creativity. This is the third provincial win for the District of Squamish in the under 100,000 population category. The District’s Public Works Week celebration was also recognized nationally by the Canadian Public Works Association in 2013 and 2014.

“Through their multi-year award winning Public Works Week Celebration, the District of Squamish and its dedicated team of proud Public Works employees continue to set the standard across this province when it comes to celebrating the critical roles they play in their community and promoting public works as an exciting career choice,” says PWABC Vice-President Greg Wightman.  “The pride and passion of Director of Public Works Bob Smith and his team is clearly evident by the effort they put into hosting B.C.'s best Public Works Week celebration.”

The District’s Public Works Day is held annually in May in conjunction with National Public Works Week, a community awareness educational and outreach program endorsed by the Canadian Public Works Association, the American Public Works Association, and the Public Works Association of British Columbia. District activities include a Public Works Yard open house and guided public tours, and an interactive student open house during which approximately 200 grade four students learn what happens when they flush, tour the Waste Water Treatment lab, make hanging flower baskets and explore the District’s heavy equipment fleet.

For more information about National Public Works Week visit their website. For more information about the PWABC Annual Awards visit their website.

About PWABC

PWABC is a non-profit society registered in B.C. It is affiliated with the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) and is a chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA). The organization exists to serve its members by providing opportunities for mutual support, education and professional development. It does this through workshops, newsletters, teleconferences and an annual technical conference.

October 20, 2017