Four Sea to Sky Corridor engineers have been awarded for their work at this year's prestigious Consulting Engineers of British Columbia gala. The Squamish and Whistler branches of the engineering and environmental sciences company, Golder Associates, was behind four of the evening's award-winning projects. "It's huge recognition for the work we've done," said Paul Schlotfeldt, local Golder division manager.Three Awards of Merit were given to the engineers for their work on the Whistler Sliding Centre, the Whistler Nordic Competition Venue, and phase two of the Kicking Horse Canyon highway upgrade in Yoho National Park. The engineers also received an Award of Excellence for their involvement with the Thirsk Reservoir Expansion in Summerland, with the rock mechanics work being undertaken by the Golder Squamish and Whistler office. "These were amazing projects, some of which kept us challenged throughout the year during various stages of planning, design, and construction," Schlotfeldt said.Along with Schlotfeldt, Rich Humphries, an associate at Golder, and geotechnical team members Nicole Boultbee and Cortney Palleske were recognized for their contributions to the projects. But Schlotfeldt said that there were many people behind the scenes who contributed to the success of these endeavors."It's a team effort," he said. "It really is a collective thing. A few individuals may have played a more recognizable role, but everyone has a hand in it."Schlotfeldt is no stranger to the CEBC awards. He was with Golder Associates when it won the event's most prestigious award, the Lieutenant-Governor's Award of Excellence, in 2005 for the Sea to Sky Highway's "test section." "That project also won the award for excellence in transportation," Schlotfeldt said. "I think it's the most decorated piece of highway in B.C."The annual awards gala is a high profile, black-tie event designed to heighten the reputation of winners and the regions they hail from. This year, over 37 projects were submitted for consideration with 14 being given awards, including the Simon Fraser University Arts and Social Science Complex in Burnaby, and the Sustainable Sewer Funding Model in New Westminster. Projects are divided into three categories: buildings, municipal, and transportation.
