About
The collaboration space offers the shared use of a full work shop and office space to small business, individuals, and groups with innovative ideas at a much lower cost than owning or leasing a full facility and tool collection. In other words we are a maker space. A social outlet for creative people. A think tank. A place to get support to make some idea a reality. We are also made up of individuals. Each individual brings a unique set of skills, ideas, and desires.
We have seen some amazing things come from similar spaces. Members at BucketWorks in Milwaukee have filed over 2 dozen patents in the last 8 years! Other spaces compete in electric vehicle contests, large scale model rocket and near space ballon launches. Along with big projects there are always little things going on at the spaces we visit. Students doing home work, hobbyists painting a model car, reading a book, and much more!
About the founders:
Tom Bourke
Tom’s back ground includes computer science, mathematics, technical theater, electronics, hydraulic, and pneumatics. He has been tinkering with electronics and computers since a very young age. More recently he has worked with students at D.C. Everest School District in the theater for 7 years. About 4 years ago he started Central Wisconsin Audio Lights & Video llc. He is in the process of bringing an open hardware based lighting controller to market. As a hobby Tom likes to do welded metal artwork.
Trina Bourke
Trina is a native Oregonian who transplanted herself to Wisconsin with Tom in 2002. Before that she graduated from Western Oregon University with a bachelors degree in psychology and a Masters degree in Vocational Rehabilitation. Her past includes being an active member in 4-H, studying American Sign Language and working in her college’s computer lab. More recently she has taken up gardening, canning, and assisting her husband with our business Central Wisconsin Audio Lights and Video LLC and working on her website Trina’s Kitchen. She is looking forward to having an active role in setting up the collaboration center and making it a part of the Wausau Community.
