St. Clair College students in the Architectural Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technician – Industrial (Millwright) programs have collaborated with the Windsor Essex Bike Community (WEBC) to create a special kiosk at the new Libro Centre mountain bike trails in Amherstburg, Ont.
The kiosk was part of a capstone project for four Millwright students and eight Architecture students, who together designed and installed the kiosk at the Libro Centre over the past school year.
"We had our students take the concept and then actually design it so that we could build it in multiple modular pieces so that we could physically assemble it and move it on site," said Gary Anger, who is both a professor in the Millwright program and a board member with WEBC.
Anger helped connect the dots between the not-for-profit group and St. Clair College, which led to the partnership.
"It's really important that the students take the skills that they've learned and apply them," Anger said. "With capstone projects or experiential learning, they also get to learn a lot of the soft skills like coming up with a plan. They get to experience real-world scenarios, including all the ups and downs."
"And at the end, they have that piece that they worked on to help market themselves when they go into their careers," he said. "They can also brag to friends and family and say, look, I worked on that."
Abbey Drouillard, who just graduated from the Millwright program, is one of those students.
"It feels great. I'm glad that it's here in the community, and it reflects not only us, the millwrights, but the architecture behind it, too," said Drouillard. "Everyone came together to put this together, and it just feels really great to see it in person."
Dozens of kids in WEBC's Youth Mountain Bike program were in attendance for the launch of the kiosk, giving St. Clair students a first-hand look at the impact they're having on the trail's user groups.
"It's definitely amazing to see all these kids out, just to be a part of it, and seeing our great accomplishment actually being used," said fellow Millwright graduate, Sophia Kaschalk.
At the back of the kiosk, there is a bicycle repair station which will serve as a handy addition for all trail users. Just above the repair station hangs a plaque emblazoned with the St. Clair College logo, as well as the names of the students who worked on the project.
"I like working with my hands. It's just a good feeling," said Cameron Martineau, a Millwright graduate who also worked on the project. "It's a great feeling, seeing the community enjoy it, everybody looking at it, especially my name up on the plaque. I'm very proud."
Sara Vitale, who recently graduated from the Architecture Technology program and is heading to Halifax to complete a master's degree at Dalhousie University, says it's amazing what a small group of students can accomplish together.
"A small group of people from the architecture club was given the size of the shed, where it was going, and what they wanted on it. And we ran with it," Vitale said. "We designed a lot of variations, and it took time. But looking at it, I think it's great. It's nice and simple. I think the fabrication went together perfectly."
The steel used in the kiosk was donated by Atlas Tube, the gravel was donated by Walker Aggregates, the bike repair station was provided at cost by Flow Café and Bikes, and Serge Bertucci of the Architectural Technology program provided the concrete pad.
"It's turned out better than I could have ever imagined. I personally think we have the best trailhead kiosk in Canada, if not North America," said James Braakman, a WEBC board member. "To have something like this, all community materials donated, all the time the students put in, all the blood, sweat and tears the College helped with in terms of their class time, it really cements the Libro trails as a legitimate network and we couldn't be happier with the partnership with St. Clair."
"That's really our mantra is the power of community, and this is a perfect example of different aspects of the community coming together of make something special and that's going to impact dozens – if not hundreds of kids," Braakman added.
WEBC has built three phases of mountain biking trails at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg and is currently working on the fourth phase, set to become a skills park. WEBC provides group rides for the community in various cycling styles, as well as a women's-specific group. WEBC offers bi-weekly sessions to young people and teaches them how to ride mountain bikes free of charge.
"We're a community college and it's events like this – partnering together with community groups, businesses and industry to create something special for Amherstburg and the entire region – that showcases our students and their skill sets," said John Fairley, Sr. Vice President of Communications, Advancement and External Affairs at St. Clair College.
Lido Zuccato, the Chair of the School of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeships, said it's just one example of many where students and faculty are making their impact felt in the community.
"The mountain bike kiosk at the Libro Centre showcases the talent of our Architectural Technology and Millwright students, who worked together to design and build a lasting resource for the community," said Zuccato.
"Projects like this provide valuable hands-on experience for our students while allowing them to use their skills to make a meaningful contribution to the communities we serve."
