The SSMRC is honoring Sterling Martin with the Community Service Challenge Award for his work helping to build a handicap-accessible fishing weigh-in pavilion at Alabama’s Smith Lake early this year.
Union volunteers, including members of Millwright Local 1192, helped build the pavilion, pour sidewalks, and perform final grading work.
Martin, a Local 1192 member, volunteered at the site three days, contributing 24 service hours. He helped pour concrete for the weight station pad and sidewalks, removed concrete forms, and did clean-up work. He has also volunteered at food pantries.
“Sterling has a great attitude and work ethic and takes pride in being a union millwright,” said Clint Smith, business agent for Local 1192.
The pavilion provides water access and can accommodate fish tanks to help reduce stress on fish and increase release survival rates at the weigh-in site. It will host recreational anglers as well as high school, college, amateur, and professional tournaments. When tournaments are not is session, the pavilion will be open to the public. Read more about the project here.