Having started his curling career at the old Armstrong Curling Club where Armstrong Pellet now operates, and continuing to curl today in the current facility at the IPE grounds, Mayor Chris Pieper knows the sport is about fun.

Paralympic wheelchair curling gold medalist Ina Forrest is flanked by Spallumcheen Mayors Will Hansma (left) and Armstrong Mayor Chris Pieper. They present Forrest with excellence awards from the two communities.

He also knows it's a sport that can humble the greatest curlers in the world.

Pieper told Paralympic wheelchair curling gold medalist Ina Forrest he can't imagine adding a wheelchair and throwing a rock with a stick to the mix.

Pieper and colleague Mayor Will Hansma, of Spallumcheen, presented Forrest with recognition of excellence awards from both communities in front of both councils in Spallumcheen.

"The Olympics this year brought communities, cities, the province of B.C. and all Canadians together like no other event in our history," said Pieper as he presented his award to Forrest.

"Everyone in Canada was proud of all athletes, and we all won when you won."

Forrest was a member of Canada's winning foursome, which included Vernon's Sonja Gaudet and Richmond residents Jim Armstrong and Darryl Neighbour. Canada defeated South Korea in Vancouver to win Paralympic gold.

"We are extremely proud of her as a community," said Hansma. "To have somebody from Spallumcheen be part of a gold medal team, it was so exciting to see it all unfold and to know people on that team that we all knew. We're also talking about Sonja, she's really involved in our community too."

Forrest, adorned with her gold medal, was honoured to be recognised, and happily posed for photos with council members.

Also a member of Canada's world wheelchair curling championship team, Forrest is grateful for the support she receives from her home communities.

"I'd like to thank everybody here in Armstrong, Spallumcheen, and all of B.C.," said the amiable Forrest.

"To win the gold medal at home made it incredibly special, and the response we had in Vancouver, in Canada, was something we've never experienced in wheelchair curling before.

"I'm very proud to be here tonight to accept these awards."(The End)