Caledon, Ontario (July 9, 2024) – The Caledon Agricultural Society (CAS) have launched a $3-million capital campaign to expand facilities on the existing fairgrounds, home of the Caledon Fair in June and the July 1st Caledon Canada Day and Strawberry Festival held each year.
“We are planning for the next generations and we want to ensure we can provide the opportunities and the facilities to meet the ever-growing demands of our community,” says Ed Taccone, Caledon Agricultural Society president.
This ambitious campaign represents a major milestone for the volunteer-run organization and is the realization of a decades-long dream for many volunteers.
“I have relentlessly maintained a vision to have a building on the Caledon Fairgrounds—not only for our Caledon Agricultural Society use—but as a much-needed community centre in northwest Caledon,” says Taccone.
The first Caledon Fair was held in 1860 and since that time the CAS has been a foundational part of the Caledon Village community. This new build will improve the fairground offerings while creating a functional space anchoring a strong and thriving community hub where residents can use or rent the building for a variety of purposes.
“I would like to congratulate the Caledon Agricultural Society for launching this ambitious plan to build a new building on their site to host expanded community events in Caledon Village,” says the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Dufferin-Caledon MPP, who was on hand for the campaign launch announcement.
Taccone says the new building’s architectural design has been specifically chosen to complement the existing Heritage Hall and to maintain the rural character of the fairgrounds while adding much-needed modern improvements. The building will be located in the north-portion of the fairgrounds, near the existing gazebo.
The new 15,000-square-foot building will have a 6000-square foot convertible banquet hall and multi- purpose space; a commercial kitchen with walk-in storage, refrigeration and a bar area; accessible washrooms; two large garage-style doors for easy equipment access; and much-needed office space for the Agricultural Society’s administration team.
The fairgrounds are advantageously situated within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and organizers are optimistic the enhanced facility upgrades will make the fairgrounds an attractive consideration for many outside event organizers and generate a positive economic impact for the community.
Taccone says when you believe in your dream and your vision, it begins to attract its own resources. “I believe and have the confidence in our team to make this happen,” he says.
“But to make this project a reality we need your help,” he says.
The CAS is calling upon the generosity and support of community members, local businesses and philanthropic organizations and asking them to consider how they can contribute to this legacy community project.
Organizers are now focused on fundraising and hopeful enough support will be received that construction could begin in 2026.
Cheques should be payable to the Caledon Agricultural Society with Community Centre in the memo line.
