Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Winthrop Ice Rink wins award

On June 19, 2008, the Town of Winthrop was honored with a Municipal Excellence Award from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) at their Annual Conference in Yakima.

The Town of Winthrop won the Small City Successes category for the Winthrop Town Trailhead and Ice Rink. The Winthrop Town Trailhead and Ice Rink represents the culmination of years of effort by the town and two nonprofit groups, Winthrop Ice and Sports Rink Association and Methow Valley Sports Trail Association (MVSTA) to create a vibrant recreational hub in the heart of our community.

Planning for the project drew a great deal of public attention and input. Winthrop’s new 3.8 acre trailhead and ice rink now stands as the cornerstone in realizing a handful of long held community visions. Over the winter, hundreds of people, old and young alike, enjoyed skating on the new facility and warming their toes in the new building; while other folks used the new trailhead as a departure point to guide along the MVSTA ski trails.

Out of 62 entries, Winthrop’s entry was one of eight projects selected to receive an Excellence Award at AWC’s 75th Annual Conference. Entries are judged by subject category and each category has one winner. The awards are judged by individuals outside of AWC, who are selected for their knowledge of and enthusiasm for local government.

The Municipal Excellence Awards are presented to cities that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in promoting community excellence. The competition recognizes a community’s achievement and encourages other cities to develop similar programs. The hard work and dedication proven in each of the projects makes a community stronger especially when the focus is on improving tomorrow.

The Town of Winthrop wishes to thank all of the community members who volunteered and supported this project. This award is because of all of you and your unselfish hard work.