Doors Open Waterloo Region 2020

Episode 10 - Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory: Behind The Scenes of a Tropical Paradise

A year-round tropical paradise and home to thousands of exquisite plants, butterflies, moths and bugs, The Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory has been a remarkable institution in Waterloo Region since 2001. As a privately owned Canadian corporation, it is entirely self-reliant and must juggle the business of attraction with the responsibility of education, research and conservation. Andalyne Tofflemire, Conservatory Manager & Naturalist, tours viewers throughout the magical 25,000 square foot facility and its daily behind-the-scenes operations.

Episode 11 - Clearpath Robotics: Automating Dull, Dirty and Dangerous Jobs

Dull, dirty and dangerous. These are the jobs Clearpath Robotics is working to automate. Founded in 2009 by four University of Waterloo Mechatronics Engineering grads, Clearpath and its sister company Otto Motors develop hardware, software and services to enable self-driving vehicle development, deployment and fleet operation. The award-winning company works with over 500 of the world’s most innovative brands in over 40 countries, serving markets that span industrial materials handling, mining, military, agriculture, aerospace and academia.

Episode 12 - The Handmaid’s Tale: How Cambridge became Gilead - Part I of II

The architecture, heritage buildings and stunning natural features of Cambridge are showcased in the award-winning web television series The Handmaid's Tale. The city's unique assets, central location, and welcoming vibe for the production team made it winner. After three celebrated seasons and 37 major award victories, it's easy now to applaud the city's work to accommodate large production crews with tight schedules with narrow lead times. But what was it like for Devon Hogue, the Business Information Officer for the City of Cambridge during those first days in August 2016 when the Handmaid's Tale was just a concept being pitched for the first time? Just how do you explain to residents why there are gallows erected in the park, army tanks and men with machine guns on the bridge, and three bodies hanging from the wall by the river?

Episode 13 - The Handmaid’s Tale: How Cambridge Became Gilead - Part II

Under her eye: The award-winning web television series The Handmaid's Tale showcases much of the architecture, heritage buildings and stunning natural features of Cambridge in its fictional rendering of a dystopian Gilead. The city's unique assets, central location, and welcoming vibe for the production team made it winner. After three celebrated seasons and 37 major award victories, many of these key locations have put Cambridge on the map worldwide — with viewers and film production companies alike. Devon Hogue, the Business Information Officer for the City of Cambridge takes us for a tour of key locations and the many challenges and rewards along the way.

Episode 14 - Region of Waterloo International Airport

Once upon a time, YKF consisted of two grass air strips. Today, it’s one of the top 20 busiest airports in Canada. Our airport is unique in many ways, and this behind-the-scenes look at its daily operation reveals a thriving aviation community that is passionate about safety and growth, and still enchanted by the magic of air travel.

Episode 15 - Waterloo Brewing: A Passion for Craft

While it's now the largest craft brewery in Ontario, it was also the first, and Waterloo Brewing is simultaneously expanding its scope while stoking that pioneering spirit which launched it 36 years ago. Brewing beer with character, for people of character, the entire operation now runs from a single Kitchener location. It features a new beer store, patio and Taphouse where a micro-brewery affords passionate beer-loving staff to dream up and test the next big thing.

Episode 16: Painting The Town Big

In 2017, Stephanie Boutari took a big leap to paint big, joining her husband Adam on a path of artistic and design exploration to make ideas happen. Her large scale murals, often featuring vibrant palettes and geometric shapes, have been commissioned for dozens of public and commercial spaces throughout Waterloo Region. Inspired by the ways in which colour and scale transform the perception of space, Boutari’s work is refining her relationship between art and architecture.