The District of 100 Mile House is the winner of the 2012 Measuring Up the North Award of Excellence in the category for populations less than 5,000.
The announcement was made during the final day (May 4) of the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) annual general meeting and convention in 100 Mile, which started on May 2.
The District of 100 Mile House was honoured for accessible trails and projects in the community. The trails projects, which were officially opened in 2011, saw a low-mobility trail built near South Cariboo Visitor Centre, at Highway 97 and Airport Road, and around the 100 Mile Marsh.
"The District of 100 Mile House council and staff have been looking at ways to make our community more accessible for all residents of the South Cariboo," said 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall.
"We are truly honoured to be the recipients of this award, and we will continue to seek out opportunities to improve accessibility for the residents and visitors to 100 Mile House."
Meanwhile, the Spinal Cord Injury British Columbia (formerly the BC Paraplegic Association) was announced as the 2012 winner of the Measuring Up the North Award of Excellence for populations more than 5,000.
Recently, the Spinal Cord Injury British Columbia (SCIBC) office in Prince George opened a one-of-a-kind resource centre. Northern B.C. residents, who have a spinal-cord injury or related physical disability, and their families now have a place to go for information and advice, with peer support from people who have experience with spinal-cord injuries.
"Everyone involved has done a tremendous amount of work in making their communities more inclusive and accessible," says Pat Harris, SCIBC information services manager. "They have been creative in applying a broad spectrum of accessibility initiatives, from riverside pathways to library elevators. The work they have done will leave a legacy, not just for people with disabilities, but for seniors, parents and many others in the community who will benefit from the upgrades."
The goal of the Measuring Up the North program is to create livable, age-friendly, disability-friendly, universally designed, inclusive communities that benefit all citizens and visitors.
Further information about the Measuring Up the North program is available online at www.measureupthenorth.com.