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Globe and Mail
9 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Taking Porsche's new Toronto-area driver's playground for a test-drive
Speed demons and Porsche fans rejoice: the company is opening a sprawling automotive playground just east of Toronto where drivers can go wild without fear of seeing cops in the rearview mirror. Porsche Experience Centre (PEC) Toronto, the brand's 10th such centre in the world and first in Canada, will open its doors on June 18. When it does, drivers who feel the need (the need for speed) will be able to sample the company's wares, putting pedal to metal, burning rubber and drifting around on a series of purpose-built tracks, for a fee. Prices range from $140 for demo laps riding shotgun with a professional driver behind the wheel – an experience not for the faint of stomach – to 90-minute test-drives in the latest Porsche models. Prices for the latter start at $850 for the Macan SUV and climb up to $1,700 for a turn behind the wheel of the Holy-Grail 911 GT3. Alternatively, if you purchase certain Porsche models – the 911 sports car range starts at an eye-watering $160,000 – the company is kind enough to throw in a 90-minute Experience Centre session for free. While it may seem ludicrous, Porsche is charging money for test-drives – which, yes are typically free at your local dealership – bear in mind your dealership doesn't have a two-kilometre handling track that mimics famous circuits including California's Laguna Seca and Germany's Nürburgring, nor does your dealership have a drag strip or (my personal favourite) a low-grip handling track that mimics the feel of driving on ice. There's also a cadre of professional instructors who offer driving tips and help you help Porsche by keeping its cars from becoming too cozy with the guardrails. Ahead of the official opening, Porsche invited a small group of reporters and social media influencers to experience the Porsche Experience. The main building is suitably posh, albeit situated in an industrial part of Pickering, Ont. The coffee is excellent, the cars are fast and the driving instructors are very, very brave to ride shotgun with everybody. The main circuit is a thrilling rollercoaster ride and so narrow it makes overtaking on Monaco's Formula One street circuit look easy. Porsche, however, rightly points out this is not technically a racetrack. There should be no non-consensual overtaking. Winning is bringing the car back in one piece with a silly grin on your face. The whole place is like Disneyland for drivers. And, like Disneyland, Porsche's playground is meant to instill a love of the brand and sell some merchandize; not Mickey Mouse hats – although Porsche does sell hats if you want them – but expensive sports cars and luxury SUVs. Trevor Arthur, chief executive officer of Porsche Cars Canada, said the company's investment in the Experience Centre isn't just about fostering existing customer relationships, but introducing new people to the brand and seeing their smiles as they come out of the cars. 'We want to spark that dream [of Porsche ownership] right now and foster it for years to come,' he told me on a visit to the Centre in late May. For dreamers not yet old enough to drive, there's a 'Sim Lab,' a room filled with high-end racing simulators. The Experience Centre is intended to be a family-friendly space, Arthur said. If you want to hold your wedding here, they can do that too, he added. Arthur wouldn't say how many additional sales PEC Toronto will drive; emphasizing that this is a long-term play. 'It's hard to monetize it specifically, but it does have a business case,' Arthur said. 'And, I think with our intentions and plans to fill this up with corporate bookings, with retail bookings, with special events, I think over all it's a win.' Clearly Porsche's executives in Germany think so too. Since the first Experience Centre opened in England in 2008, the company has opened nine more around the world. The 11th is set to open in Singapore in 2027. Ten years ago it might have been a little harder to justify one in Toronto, but the time is right, Arthur said. Canada now ranks as a major luxury car market and a top-10 market globally for Porsche. 'Yes, it's a significant investment into the market,' Arthur said of PEC. 'But I think you have to look back historically. If you take a look at our travel experiences, our ice experiences, our track experiences, I think that's really what justifies the need for this.' The Ice Experience pop-up every winter in Quebec is consistently sold out, he said. Personally, after spending 45 minutes flinging a $200,000 Porsche 911 GTS around the handling circuit and low-grip track in a manner that would've landed me in prison (and rightly so) had I done it on regular roads, my own need for speed has been satiated, for now. Spending $1,200 to drive a 911 like some Ken Block wannabe for 90 minutes at a time might actually be a better financial decision than selling an organ or two to own a $200,000 Porsche 911 and pay for gas, tires, insurance and maintenance. Besides, even if you own one, you can't have this much fun in a sports car on the road, not even close. The Porsche Experience Centre may have cured not only my need for speed, but also my need to own a sports car. Oops.
CBC
24 minutes ago
- CBC
Why this organization is 'yarn bombing' Sudbury with these colourful stop sign-size coins
Deafblind Ontario Services, Sudbury region, is "yarn bombing" the city this June to bring awareness to deafblindness. Yarn bombing is a form of street art where public objects or structures are covered with knitted or crocheted yarn. Crystal Pigeon-Way, community engagement manager with Deafblind Sudbury, said the yarn bombing is being done throughout the month of June — deafblind awareness month. She said the aim of the yarn bombing campaign is to let people know that "deafblind people exist." The coins — which are the size of a stop sign, and are made out of yarn — include one with a beaver on one side and the letters DBOS (Deafblind Ontario Services) on the other, and one has some feathers. "They were made big enough that they were visible enough, but also small enough that community members can move them out and about around the community," Pigeon-Way said. She said the four coins are among eight installations across the city. Pigeon-Way said people who find one of the coins should relocate it to another place in the city, and upload a picture of the coin at the new location to help someone else find it. Each of the coins has a QR code, which when scanned will direct people to the campaign's page on Facebook where they can upload the photo. People who find all four coins will be entered into a draw which will be done at the end of June for prizes, Pigeon-Way said. Julie Hayes, assistant manager at Bay Used Books, said they began partnering with Deafblind Services in 2024 by hosting an installation at the store, and the collaboration continues this year. "We really think it's important to bring awareness to Deafblind Services. I don't think people really give a lot of consideration to it unless you're involved directly with someone or you know someone who is needing those services," Hayes told CBC News. "So, to bring awareness to it in a fun and bright and inviting way, it gets people engaged." Meanwhile, Pigeon-Way said Deafblind Services operates three supported-living homes in the city and supports nine individuals who are deafblind. "I just want [people] to know that deafblind people are here, they're here in your community, they're active members of your community," she said. "Some people have jobs, some people go to school, you might see them out bowling, you might see them at the movie theatre…I just want everybody to recognize and understand they are in the community and they do lead meaningful lives."
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Thunder Bay Public Library appoints Indigenous relations advisor
The Thunder Bay Public Library has appointed Stephanie MacLaurin as its new senior advisor of Indigenous relations, a key leadership role aimed at advancing the library's commitment to reconciliation and the decolonization of public spaces. MacLaurin, who is Anishinaabe from Fort William First Nation and a lifelong resident of Westfort, brings more than eight years of professional experience to the position. Their background includes work in governance, Indigenous political science, mental health and post-secondary education. In the new role, MacLaurin will oversee the Indigenous Services Department. They will liaise with the Indigenous Advisory Council and other community partners. Their work will support the implementation of the library's Relationship-Building and Reconciliation Action Plan, which was developed in 2018 with guidance from the advisory council. The plan outlines the library's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and a broader effort to decolonize library practices and spaces. That includes providing educational resources, supporting Indigenous knowledge preservation and reviewing library policies. "A new job isn't just a fresh start," says MacLaurin. "It's the opening chapter of a story waiting to be written with passion, purpose and possibility. Stepping into this new role feels like stepping into the life I've been working towards." MacLaurin says they were drawn to the role by its emphasis on community engagement, something they missed in a previous position. "When I moved into my last position that I left for this job, I lost that kind of community component," they said. "I found myself looking at a role that was possibly all-encompassing for the interests that I have in my life right now." MacLaurin said the role immediately clicked for them. They have already identified three early priorities a few weeks into the role: strategic planning for the Indigenous Services Department; building relationships with Indigenous organizations and leadership; and contributing to policy analysis alongside library management. MacLaurin emphasized the importance of libraries being welcoming, inclusive spaces for Indigenous community members and organizations. "I found myself at Mary J. and Brodie a lot throughout my years, sitting at the table, doing research here, whether it was writing, finding the peace that you get within a library. So I would hope that this is something that Indigenous people could experience here and that they're finding peace and comfort." Raili Roy, director of community development at the library, said the team is excited to welcome MacLaurin. "They stood out as an exceptional candidate," Roy said. "We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them. We have much meaningful and rewarding work ahead." MacLaurin replaces Robyn Medicine who held the role for nearly a decade. Medicine passed away in February. During her time in the role, Medicine established Indigenous Knowledge Centres across all branches. "Robyn did an incredible job in this role and she has so much love from the community," they said. MacLaurin isn't sure yet which programs created by Medicine will remain. "But I really couldn't imagine just removing all of the hard work that she did." MacLaurin said they're hoping to build a place that is grounded in belonging, education and reconciliation.
