Through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI), J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) donated lumber to construct the Red Bull Crashed Ice Ottawa track. Over 20,000 spectators watched as competitors zoomed at speeds of up to 70 km/hour down the steep, twisting track in Canada’s Capital. The races were broadcast live on TVA, Sportsnet 360 and Red Bull TV. The track, constructed alongside the Chateau Laurier, took workers 10,000 hours to construct. 

Over 85% of the wood used for the track will be recovered and re-purposed for other Ottawa 2017 events such as Kontinuum and La Machine. In addition, materials will be re-purposed for Habitat for Humanity builds and ReStores in the Greater Ottawa region including the building of a home for an Indigenous family. 

“We are pleased to support this exciting event and the wonderful work of Habitat for Humanity,” said Jerome Pelletier, Vice President of Sawmill Division, J.D. Irving, Limited. “It’s great that our lumber could be part of an event celebrating Canada's 150 in our Nation’s Capital. What’s better is the second life this lumber will have as a home for an Indigenous family through Habitat for Humanity who we have worked with in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.”

J.D. Irving Limited, donated lumber to the construction of the Red Bull Crashed Ice Track in Ottawa. 85% of lumber will be reclaimed and used to build a home through Habitat for Humanity. Photo courtesy of Patrick Haag, Ottawa Celebrations Bureau.

Watch the Ships for Canada, Homes for Nova Scotians video about eight women from Halifax Shipyard raising $90,000 and building a new home in Spryfield, Nova Scotia through Habitat for Humanity. 

About Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI®) is an independent, non-profit sustainability leader dedicated to future forests by supporting the links between sustainable forests, thriving communities and the responsible procurement of forest products. SFI achieves this through setting standards, delivering a conservation and community grants program, conducting research, and supporting partnerships that contribute to conservation objectives. Forests certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard cover more than 115 million hectares across Canada and the United States. SFI’s Forest Management, Fiber Sourcing and Chain of Custody Standards work to ensure the health and future of forests. Through application of these certification standards, SFI’s on-product labels help consumers make responsible purchasing decisions.