Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach and Smithers Mayor Gladys Atrill presented Al McCreary with the King Charles III Coronation Medal today. (Monday)
The event was held at the Hudson Bay Lodge which McCreary helped open in 1981.
“He’s been in this community for a long time and has contributed in so many different ways,” said Bachrach.
The medal is presented to residents who have made a significant contribution to Canada, a region, community, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
Smithers Mayor Gladys Atrill said she primarily knows McCreary through tourism and is involved in many more organizations.
“He’s been part of the municipal audits as Bachrach said, First Nation audits, and is very active in the sporting world,” she said.
McCreary achievements include helping to build the New Arena in Smithers and having a chair lift installed on Hudson Bay Mountain.
“It’s kind of interesting when we’re talking about the various projects over the last 45 years and as Bachrach and Atrill attributed too, it was really to get something done that we were working on,” McCreary said.
According to Bachrach, nominations were made by residents on who should be awarded these medals with a panel of notable residents making the final decisions.
“The second sheet of ice and as I just discovered with the Lake Kathlyn Weed Society, I really think there is nothing that hasn’t been touched by him in one way or another,” said Councilor Sam Raven.
On Saturday, Leslie-Jean MacMillan was also awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her contributions to the music community and the Valley Youth Fiddlers.
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