Communities of Tomorrow (CT) Looks Ahead to a Promising Year

Mark MacLeod, Volunteer Chair of the CT board of directors, believes CT has a promising year ahead. “CT is continuing to grow its project list with new technologies and projects,” he says. The organization is also interested in continuing work with past investments to build on the positive results. “CT wants to maintain the momentum it has established.”

MacLeod brings a wealth of expertise to his role with CT. He has extensive experience in the start-up and management of growth companies, as well as within the Saskatchewan business community. In addition to serving as chair of the CT board, MacLeod is also the newly appointed President and CEO of Superior Cabinets.

Previously, MacLeod served as a member of numerous provincial and national boards. From 2004 to 2006, MacLeod was the Saskatchewan representative on the Prime Minister’s External Advisory Committee on Cities and Communities. He also served as a board member with the Regina Regional Economic Development Authority (RREDA), the Regina Research Park Advisory Board, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, the Saskatchewan Management Services Council, the Information Technology and Telecommunications Strategic Advisory Committee, and the Provincial Action Committee on the Economy.

MacLeod explains that CT is addressing a major national and international concern as it works to assist with the development of sustainable infrastructure. “Sustainable infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges in Canada and in countries throughout the world. The world’s infrastructure is crumbling and significant parts need replacement. Inefficient and wasteful design and construction are large problems.”

As populations in cities continue to grow, MacLeod explains that infrastructure in the cities, including roads, water pipelines, and bridges, must continue to be maintained. “Infrastructure is important to cities--sustainable infrastructure is crucial,” says MacLeod.

“Although working to develop sustainable infrastructure can be difficult, CT plays an important role bringing together interested parties in areas such as research, establishment of best practices, commercialization, and technology deployment,” he says.

MacLeod points out that one of CT’s greatest strengths is the partnerships it has developed. “CT acts as a catalyst to bring infrastructure needs and expertise together.”

He explains that each CT partner is establishing innovations in its respective field. “The University of Regina is carrying out significant work in environmental responsibility,” says MacLeod. “The NRC-CSIR is doing good research and has national and international resources at its disposal, while the City of Regina is perfectly suited as a living laboratory to test new technologies and real life problems.” MacLeod also notes that RREDA, SpringBoard West Innovations Inc., the University of Saskatchewan, and several companies throughout the province are also strong CT partners.

“CT is a unique organization,” says MacLeod. He explains that CT is setting a precedent not only within the province, but also within the country. “Other provinces are looking to CT as a model of a strong research, development, and commercialization cluster.”