WEBC & St Clair College mark kiosk’s completion

WEBC and St. Clair College celebrated the completion of a new kiosk near the Libro Centre trails.

The Windsor-Essex Bike Community (WEBC) and St. Clair College celebrated the completion of a new bike kiosk the students helped create.

Architecture, engineering and millwright students from the college were at the WEBC bike trails at the Libro Centre last Wednesday evening for the youth ride night, but prior to the young cyclists heading out, a brief ceremony was held to recognize the work of the students and the partnership between St. Clair College and WEBC.

Gary Anger is the link between the two parties, as he is a millwright instructor at St. Clair College and the multi-discipline cycling manager with WEBC. He said when WEBC was looking to create a kiosk, he saw an opportunity and brought the idea to the college. 

“We started discussing it around this time last year,” said Anger.

Anger said about 25-30 students between the three programs were involved in the kiosk’s creation. It features a bicycle repair station, bench, storage area, maps of the trails and recognition of sponsors.

“Students are very proud of it,” said Anger.

The kiosk could be the foundation for future partnerships between WEBC and St. Clair College.

WEBC president James Braakman said the group has successfully fundraised for its projects, stating almost $300,000 has been raised for the three phases of trails and the skills park. He said the kiosk is a nice finishing touch for the trail system and helps make it a premiere trail system in the region.

“We really needed the final cherry on top,” said Braakman.

Braakman said it is an “unbelievable” partnership and the kiosk turned out better than they expected.

John Fairley, St. Clair College’s senior vice president of college communications and community relations, said they are proud to be a community college and compared the college to the tools on the kiosk.

“We built you a toolkit,” said Fairley.

Fairley added the college is pleased to have the opportunity to give students some hands-on experience in Amherstburg.

Cameron Martineau, a millwright student, said he was proud to be part of the project. 

“I feel really great about it,” said Martineau. “I’m really happy.”

Sara Vitale, a graduate of the architecture program, added she was also pleased to be part of the kiosk project.

“I feel good about it. It was great experience,” she said. “I’m very happy it will go to good use. I like how it all went together.”

WEBC & St Clair College mark kiosk’s completion

By Ron Giofu