Interfor’s Hammond Cedar Mill will help provide housing for those who need it most, and at the same time, bringing joy to children across the province.
The local mill will be supplying the lumber for Canfor’s Playhouse Challenge, which will see the building of several magnificent and whimsical children’s playhouses to be sold to corporate donors, with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity Canada locations across B.C.
Each magical playhouse is a collaborative project, with a B.C. forest products company donating building materials, an architectural team contributing their creativity in design, and a local builder providing their expertise in construction.
“We’re incredibly proud and excited to see this inaugural Playhouse Challenge come to fruition and not only bring joy to families across B.C., but also showcase the vast array of unique applications for B.C.’s sustainable forest products,” says Don Kayne, president and CEO of Canfor. “It’s inspiring to watch the teams that have been brought together for this challenge as they compete to create the most original playhouses between the Pacific and the Rockies – and from what I’ve seen so far, they won’t disappoint.”
Finished playhouses will be on display in a specially themed area at the 2012 Fair at the PNE, where they are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout the 17-day event that runs Aug. 18 to Sept. 3.
Following the Fair, the playhouses will be sold to pre-registered corporate buyers for donation to children’s charity organizations across the province. Funds raised will go to Habitat for Humanity Canada affiliate locations to build decent, affordable housing for hard-working families in B.C.
Students from BCIT are designing and building a playhouse for the Challenge, competing against professional architects and builders to create the fan-favourite playhouse.
“BCIT as an organization is so proud to be involved in this exciting and innovative fundraiser,” said BCIT President Don Wright. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our students, and the benefits of the project will reach so many children and families across the province.”
• For more information on Canfor’s Playhouse Challenge visit www.playhousechallenge.com.