Margaret Dunn Valleywood Collaboration Studio opens this Saturday

$300,000 renovation to library branch includes makerspace and recording studio

By Zachary Roman 

Big things are happening in Valleywood this weekend.

On Saturday, April 29, the Caledon Public Library (CPL) will officially open its new Margaret Dunn Valleywood Collaboration Studio.

There will be an opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. with dignitaries and special guests, and an open house for the Caledon community will be held from 12 to 3 p.m. following the ceremony.

The library branch was able to be reimagined thanks to support from the Federal and Provincial governments through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The CPL also invested in the branch's redesign, and the branch now has services and technologies not yet available at any other branches in Caledon.

The Margaret Dunn Valleywood branch is now home to a makerspace and recording studio. It also has new and improved spaces for working, learning, and meeting. To support these new additions, special collections of books for local businesses and entrepreneurs are now available at the branch. These book collections feature a focus on topics like technology, creativity, and innovation. The branch will still be a pickup and return location for all CPL materials too.

Ruby Sahota, Member of Parliament for Brampton North, spoke on behalf of Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities about the branch. 

“The grand opening of the Margaret Dunn Valleywood Branch… marks the next step in creating a stronger community and improving the well-being of the residents in the Town of Caledon,” said Sahota. “We will keep working collaboratively with our partners to support meaningful investments in infrastructure to build strong and healthy communities for Canadians.”

Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure, Kinga Surma, said public libraries are essential for the quality of life and well-being of every community in Ontario.

“The Margaret Dunn Valleywood Collaboration Studio will connect residents to new services and technologies and empower them to learn, innovate and create,” said Surma. “Our government will continue to work with our federal and municipal partners to build key infrastructure in communities across the province.”

Colleen Lipp, CEO of the CPL, said she's excited that Valleywood residents will now have new services right at their doorsteps. She said the branch being located near the intersection of Highway 10 and the 410 means it's easily accessible to all residents of Caledon too. 

Mary Maw, the CPL's director of communications, explained in a media release that many different kinds of workshops will be held at the branch to teach Caledon residents all about the technology there.

The Margaret Dunn Valleywood Collaboration Studio features resources like 3-D printers, audio and video capture and editing tools, computers, traditional art and craft supplies and more. She said the branch will be a place where Caledon residents can learn together, build skills for life, and showcase their creativity.

The CPL has partnered with the Town of Caledon's economic development and recreation teams — and others — for programs and events at the newly-renovated branch that will be coming soon.

Those interested in learning more can visit the CPL's website at: caledon.library.on.ca/mdv-reno.