Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada makes $50,000 donation to Old Post Office project

Posted on Wednesday November 08, 2017

Cambridge, Ontario. Nov. 8, 2017… Earlier today, the City of Cambridge and Idea Exchange announced $50,000 in funding for the Old Post Office project from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC).

Reflecting TMMC’s commitment to innovation and science education, the donation will help inspire creativity and skills development though access to cutting-edge technologies for the whole community.

“The Old Post Office project is a seamless blending of the historic and the modern to create a truly innovative space that will benefit and inspire residents and visitors alike,” remarked Mayor Doug Craig. “We’re proud to have such a community-minded organization like TMMC in our city supporting our efforts to develop places where people can prosper.”

The donation from TMMC will be used to outfit the building’s third floor classroom with equipment for teaching, collaboration and meeting use. The space will allow Idea Exchange to utilize the expertise and knowledge of both in-person and remote instructors. A laser cutter will also be acquired, providing more access to new technologies.

“We are very grateful to the wonderful team at Toyota for this generous donation,” said Helen Kelly, chief executive officer at Idea Exchange. “We have exciting plans for the new digital library and with this donation we can make our plans a reality. The Old Post Office location will be a special place where we can expand our role to make the tools to succeed in society available to all community members by bridging the digital divide so everyone can reach his or her full potential.”

The new digital library will be a space for creative minds of all ages to gather will inspire discovery, experimentation, and innovation.  In addition to maker space, it will also be home to a children’s discovery centre, teen space, reading room, outdoor terrace and restaurant overlooking the Grand River.

“Public libraries have proven themselves to be resilient and capable of transforming to respond to the needs of a changing society, and this project is a perfect example,” said Phil Rodi, TMMC vice president, manufacturing. “TMMC is honoured to be a part of this amazing space where cultural programs and digital literacy meet.”

Learn more about the Old Post Office project at www.cambridge.ca/OldPostOffice.

 

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Primary Media Contact:

Shawn Falcao
Manager of Communications
Corporate Communications division
City of Cambridge
(519) 740-4683 ext. 4350 / cell: (519) 240-3751
falcaos@cambridge.ca

 

Project Contact:

Helen Kelly
Chief Executive Officer
Idea Exchange
hkelly@ideaexchange.org