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Vineland unveils master plan for new campus

March 21, 2011, Vineland, Ont – Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
hosted a breakfast at Canada Blooms to unveil its master plan for a
world-class research facility in Niagara Region, Ont.

March 21, 2011, Vineland, Ont – Vineland Research and Innovation Centre hosted a breakfast at Canada Blooms to unveil its master plan for a world-class research facility in Niagara Region, Ont.

The breakfast is the first in a series of events designed to capture the imagination of people passionate about the horticulture industry. Guest speakers included best-selling author and gardening expert Mark Cullen, Diamond + Schmitt founding partner and renowned architect Jack Diamond, and CEO of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Dr. Jim Brandle. Donald Ziraldo, Vineland chairman and wine making pioneer, emceed the event.

“In 2007 the provincial and federal governments saw real value in what industry was proposing at Vineland: a new research and innovation mandate for Canadian horticulture that would make us leaders not laggards on the world stage,” said Ziraldo. “Today we have the team of researchers and the industry and government partners to make it happen. The timing is right to make the world-class facility Jack Diamond and his colleagues at Diamond + Schmitt Architects designed into a reality.”
With a focus on fruits, vegetables, wine, flowers and plants, Vineland science is already delivering on nutritionally enhanced varieties of produce, locally grown ethnic cultivars, production practices that conserve water usage and highway tree plantings that significantly reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Vineland’s research is particularly relevant as world food shortages and price increases are changing global food economies.

“At Vineland, we offer the horticulture industry a responsive and efficient environment to conduct research, and a place to align business and science interests such as commercialization and technology scouting,” Said Brandle. “If we truly expect to raise the bar for Canadian horticulture, we need the tools and the resources to compete with the best in the world.”

The new 25,000 sq ft centre will include state-of-the-art research laboratories, a business convergence centre and impressive meeting and conference facilities that will support sustainable and leading edge food and flowers innovations in Canada.