City of Cambridge – 2021 Year in Review: Community Partnerships
Press Release
Yesterday, Cambridge City Council received the 2021 Year in Review report. The report provides an overview of the 2021 Year in Review document which highlights significant milestones and initiatives accomplished over the past year.
Despite the critical nature of the sustained pandemic response, throughout 2021, City staff continued to work hard to keep critical services going, and to make progress on key projects and priorities.
“It’s been two years of unforeseen challenges and pivots for all in this community. I am incredibly proud of our resilience and grit, adapting to ever-changing circumstances as we continue to make Cambridge an incredible place to live, work and play,” said Mayor Kathryn McGarry. “Despite it all, we have a phenomenal future to look toward in respect to City building, growth and economic prosperity.”
During the Council presentation, Brooke Lambert, Director of Corporate Strategy, also focused on three valuable community partnerships that greatly help the City serve the needs of our residents and helped build a stronger and more cohesive community in 2021. These partnerships align with the City’s strategic themes of People, Place and Prosperity.
People
Neighbourhood Associations build strong connection for Cambridge residents
There are eight associations across Cambridge made up of committed staff and volunteers who care deeply about serving the needs of residents and developing a sense of community in their neighbourhoods. During the evolving pandemic, this has become even more meaningful and required a creative approach. The City of Cambridge provides annual core operating funding which the organizations are then able to leverage to generate other sources of funding.
Place
University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture partnership on the tiny home concept
Complex challenges require collaborative solutions. This unique partnership with the City, started in 2021, is exploring tiny homes as part of a broader affordable housing strategy. Researchers delved into real-world solutions to housing challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and developed a tiny home prototype. This research is key to helping the City understand best practices and an approach to moving forward.
Prosperity
Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) created new opportunities in Cambridge’s core areas
Although 2021 was a year marked by change and uncertainty for our business community, it also created new opportunities to creatively promote, beautify and come together. Promoting local businesses and bringing community members together safely was more important than ever. The Downtown Cambridge BIA, Hespeler Village BIA and Preston Towne Centre BIA, working closely with the City’s INVEST Cambridge Team, were up to the challenge.
“In a year that continued to be marked by uncertainty, these incredible community partnerships were particularly important and demonstrate the benefit of working together, and to build on the strengths of subject matter experts and those who work at the grassroots level in order to make innovative improvements and create positive change,” said Lambert. “These are just a few examples of strong collaborative partnerships, each with a goal of bettering and building our community.”
For full details on the City’s initiatives and activities in 2021, please read the Year in Review document.
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Background Information
Media Contact
Allison Jones
Supervisor, Corporate Communications
jonesa@cambridge.ca
Project Contact
Brooke Lambert
Director, Corporate Strategy
lambertb@cambridge.ca
About the City of Cambridge
The City of Cambridge is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. With nearly 140,000 residents, Cambridge is the second largest community within Waterloo Region. It is strategically located astride highway 401 in southwestern Ontario, part of the Toronto to Waterloo Region Innovation Corridor. With a multicultural mix and a strong foundation of support services, Cambridge has a diverse economic base with leading industries in advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, nuclear, pharmaceutical, business and financial services.
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