Leech Group donates $100,000 to ACC’s creative media centre

Assiniboine Community College’s Centre for Creative Media (CCM), one of the college’s newest learning spaces, has received a $100,000 donation from the Leech Group and family, commemorating their upcoming 100th year in business.

This generous contribution made by the local print and digital media company and the Leech family includes $75,000 toward the Centre for Creative Media space and $25,000 to support financial awards for students in Digital Art and Design, and Web and Interactive Development―two of the programs delivered within the Centre.

“We’re very excited to invest in the Assiniboine Community College’s Centre for Creative Media,” said Meredyth Leech, Sales & Marketing Director at Leech Group. “Our hope is that this contribution further enhances an already impressive program as it continues to grow and evolve. Our company has benefited greatly from the talent coming out of ACC for decades and we look forward to continuing our partnership into the future.”

Tuesday afternoon, the college revealed a space named on behalf of the donor—the Leech Group Collaboration Classroom.

Construction on the 10,050 sq. ft. Centre for Creative Media started in early 2021 and was completed later that year. The college held a grand opening for the space for community and industry partners, staff, students and alumni in early 2023.

“The Centre for Creative Media is an incredible new space for students to learn the skills they’ll need to enter the workforce, some of which are current employees at Leech Group,” said Gillian Leech, General Manager at Leech Group. “We really want to play a role in the success of these students, so we are proud to be contributing to this innovative new learning space.”

The Centre for Creative Media is a one-of-a-kind space for Western Canada, and was developed with industry needs and standards at its core,” said Jana Sproule, Chair of Media and Office Technology at Assiniboine. “The training we are able to provide our students will prepare them to confidently enter the industry. The support we have received from industry partners, like Leech Group, solidifies the work we are doing.”

“This contribution from Leech Group further enhances the college’s longstanding relationship with this local business leader,” said Terry Burgess, Dean, School of Business. “As a local employer to many graduates of our creative media programs, we are greatly appreciative of Leech Group’s support and look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.”

Leech Group, founded in 1927 as The Leech Letter Co by Michael Leech’s grandfather, has transitioned into its fourth generation of family ownership.