The Spinner June 1 2023

This meeting was held at the Centre for Research and Innovation, Corner Brook

This venue was arranged by Stephen Blackwood the Coordinator of this new Centre and a prospective Rotarian.

President Jackie chaired the meeting. A pizza lunch was enjoyed by all that attended.

Gerry spoke about the lobster boil slated for June 29^th. Details would be emailed to all Rotarians.

Kathleen spoke about the distribution of bought items from the Rotary Auction An email would be sent out asking for Rotarians to volunteer to assist with this on June 7^th, 8^th and 9^th.

There would be no Rotary meeting on Thursday, June 8^th.

Kathleen introduced Stephen Blackwood and thanked him for arranging the Rotary meeting in the Centre for Research and Innovation, CRI. Stephen presented a power point presentation explaining the partners in this endeavour, the aims and purpose of the Centre and its hopes for the future.

The CRI is a collaborative effort with both regional and community partners. It is hoped the benefits gained will be spread throughout the Western region. The partners in CRI include Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd, Grenfell Campus, College of the North Atlantic and the City of Corner Brook. Stephen went on to look at the funding agencies for the Centre which include Atlantic Canada  Opportunities Agency of Government of Canada ( ACOA), the Provincial Government Departments of Industry, Energy and Technology (IET), Immigration, Skills and Labour (ISL), and Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture (FFA), the City of Corner Brook, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd. (CBPPL), Emera, as well as Mitacs, and CleanTech internship programs for Grenfell Campus students.

Stephen continued by looking at the research components and current projects at CRI and the benefits hoped to be achieved from these projects. He went on to speak about the educational aspect of CRI and the planning of free summer camps and after school programs for school students.  

It was most interesting and exciting to learn about what is happening, being developed and is being planned at the Centre. The outcomes in the future will benefit and affect many areas of Western Newfoundland in particular Corner Brook itself.

Jackie thanked Stephen for his talk before Stephen led Rotarians on a tour of the building explaining the uses of the different spaces and how the spaces are to be developed.