I have spent more than two decades in this industry and cannot remember a time when I felt more optimistic about where landscape horticulture is headed. Business owners across Ontario are doubling down on being better at what they do. They are investing in their people, sharpening their operations and raising the standard of the work they put on the ground. I believe our industry is standing on the cusp of its greatest era, and I do not say that lightly.
Part of the reason is we have never had more resources at our fingertips. Think about why many of us first showed up at a Landscape Ontario Chapter meeting. A big part of the draw was getting timely, relevant news about what was happening in the industry. Today, a quick search on your favourite platform can tell you a lot of what you want to know in a matter of seconds. While it doesn’t replace what we learn from direct conversation or vetted resources, industry information has certainly become more accessible, and that is a good thing.
More than a forum for information sharing, I’d argue that the role of our regional Chapters has evolved into something more important. They are now the place where our community comes together. People still need to gather in a room with peers to compare notes, build relationships and feel part of something larger than their own company. That need has grown stronger since so much of our daily lives has moved onto screens.
The same philosophy drives the LO Training Centre in Milton, scheduled to open in March 2027. Online resources are valuable, but developing practical skills also requires knowledgeable instruction and opportunities to put theory into practice in a hands-on setting with others. I consider this the most important investment our association has ever made in workforce development.
There has been a lot of talk about what this project costs, and I would like to lay it out plainly for everyone. We are investing $13 million in the training centre itself and another $1.5 million in a state-of-the-art stormwater retention pond — a requirement of the project. We intend to treat that requirement as an opportunity by making it a showcase of beautiful and effective stormwater management. A further $2.5 million will go into the landscaping, including paving. In total, it’s a $17 million commitment.
Nearly $8 million of that total is supported by two funding partners: the Skills Development Fund Capital Stream through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and the Green Municipal Fund through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. We are grateful for their confidence in this project. The remainder is being covered by LO through a combination of the association’s reserves and RBC financing. When we sold half of our property several years ago, it left the association in a strong financial position and that strength allows us to take this on responsibly.
It’s also why support from our members and partners matters so much. Every sponsorship and every donation of plants, materials or equipment reduces what the association has to finance. This means more of what we have can go to moving this industry forward.
Even the grounds surrounding the new building will serve as a dynamic, living classroom. In our industry, the finished site is proof of the work. A training centre that is itself an example of excellent landscape construction, thoughtful water management and sound horticulture practices teaches in a way that no slide deck can. Apprentices, members and the public will see leading-edge materials and practices installed and maintained properly, on the same ground where they learn why it matters.
We have developed a sponsorship program and a Founding Build Partner Program because this training centre belongs to the industry and is integral to the legacy we’re creating together. The Founding Build Partner Program offers three levels of participation: Legacy Contributor, Campus Builder and Industry Supporter. Each offers a way for a company, organization, supplier or individual to show their commitment to the next generation of landscape professionals. Partners will be recognized as part of the training centre’s story from the very beginning.
If you are a supplier, contractor, grower or long-time partner of the association, I invite you to reach out to me directly at jsalemi@landscapeontario.com. You do not need to have the answers before you write. We will walk through the opportunities together and find an approach that makes sense for you and your business.
The way we gather has changed over the years, but the purpose has not. People come together to improve and to make the industry stronger. The training centre is the next expression of that purpose, and I hope we will build it together.
Joe Salemi, CAE
LO Executive Director
jsalemi@landscapeontario.com
