In an effort to help grow the Chatham-Kent Museum and Public Library at the proposed Community Hub, Rob Myers recently announced the establishment of a $5 million family foundation.
According to a media release, the foundation’s proceeds will be dedicated exclusively to public library and the museum at the new proposed location.
“These two important public facilities will enrich the lives for both our youth and all of the citizens of C-K,” he said.
Myers said it will be up to library and museum personnel to determine how to spend the money.
“The funds can be used however they want,” he said.
He said a recent visit to the library left him wanting to see more “pods;” places where people can sit and conduct breakout meetings online.
“The new library and museum projects will serve as pillars of cultural, educational, and community development,” he said. “The library will offer expanded services, enhanced technology access, and dedicated youth spaces, while the C-K Museum will serve as a premier destination for heritage preservation, public exhibits, and educational programming.”
Myers said he’s long had an interest in improvements in Chatham’s core.
“I’m a firm believer in community improvement,” Myers told The Voice. “I have spent the last 20-30 years of my life doing improvement work in downtown Chatham.”
He also discounted any notions he’s involved in the Community Hub – which would replace the library, museum and Civic Centre – for a profit.
“I’m not in it to make a dollar. I just get so irritated by the Negative Nellies in this community,” he said. “I don’t make my money in Chatham. I do business around the world.”
Myers is the head of RM/Sotheby’s and RM Auto Restoration. Both firms cater to international clientele.
He is also part of the local business group that purchased the Downtown Chatham Centre in 2022 and proposed selling off the Sears building to the municipality to create the Community Hub.
The remainder of the centre is in the process of being transformed into 100 King, a new mix of commercial, entertainment and residential units.
