Tomlinson celebrated the opening of their new waste-recovery centre last Saturday on June 11. What may have seemed like just another rainy weekend to many, actually marks the opening of an important addition to Ontario’s waste system.
The Canadian infrastructure and environmental services organization officially opened their Carp centre in May, but gathered last week to mark it with a celebration. It comes as little surprise that a little rain didn’t dampen the party or its turn-out.
The ribbon-cutting celebration was just as well-attended as it was well-deserved. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and Councillor Eli El-Chantiry were among the many who joined Tomlinson CEO Ron Tomlinson and President Kevin Cinq-Mars for the ceremony and barbecue. The event was also attended by families, Ottawa councillors and MPPs, including Lisa MacLeod, Allan Hubley, Scott Moffatt and Marianne Wilkinson.
The weather may have been dreary, but the event certainly was not. Along with speeches, and certificate-giving, attendees were treated to a free barbecue hosted by the Centurion Conference & Event Centre, with giveaways and facility tours managed by Tomlinson staff. The event even came complete with a bouncy castle.
Mayor Watson and Councillor El-Chantiry presented Tomlinson with a certificate on behalf of the city which recognizes the organization’s innovative new centre. Mayor Watson then spoke on behalf of the city of Ottawa.
“Tomlinson is the epitome of a great local community-minded company that has been a national and international success. I just want to say thank you for doing this because we can’t keep burying our garbage.”
Our Mayor’s words were not empty — the centre is one of North America’s most technologically advanced of its kind, able to process more than 50 tonnes of construction debris per hour, which averages up to 500 tonnes every day. Not only that, but the organization recovers or recycles most of the construction materials that get delivered for processing — a minimum of 80% — a number which they anticipate will increase with demand.
Mayor Watson was not alone in giving a heartfelt speech. Kevin Cinq-Mars, president of Tomlinson spoke on behalf of the company.
