The new venue will serve as the host site for the 2029 Clydesdale Show.
Milverton, Ont. - A new multi-purpose agricultural and event facility took a major step forward Wednesday as local officials, farmers, and equine supporters’ broke ground on the Waterfalls Agriplex in the Township of Perth East.
The ceremony, held on a grassy site in Milverton under overcast skies, featured Clydesdale horses hitched to wagons, a horse under saddle, Standardbreds hitched to carts and a large banner promoting the project (waterfallsagriplex.ca). Township of Perth East officials described the facility as a hub that will support agriculture, tourism, and local events while also serving as the host site for the 2029 Clydesdale Show, expected to draw more than 600 horses and visitors from across North America.
The project aims to strengthen rural infrastructure in Perth County and provide dedicated space for agricultural exhibitions, equestrian activities, and community gatherings.
Ontario Federation of Agriculture President Drew Spoelstra, a Binbrook area farmer who raises crops, dairy cattle, and Clydesdales, attended and spoke of the broader benefits.
“This is exactly the kind of investment rural Ontario needs,” Spoelstra said. “Facilities like the Waterfalls Agriplex keep agriculture at the centre of community life, create opportunities for the next generation, and help showcase the strength of Ontario farming and livestock production. We’re excited to see it move ahead.”
Ontario Horse Council representative Brian Tropea also highlighted the project’s potential for the equine sector.
“The excitement around the Waterfalls Agriplex is real,” Tropea said. “Hosting a major Clydesdale show and supporting everyday equine activity will help rural communities capture more of the economic value that horses already generate across the province. Projects like this give the industry a place to gather, compete, and grow.”
Those remarks align with findings from the recently released Ontario Equine Agricultural Economic Impact Study, the first comprehensive assessment of the sector since 2010. The study reported that Ontario’s equine agricultural sector supports 35,739 full-time equivalent jobs, contributes $4.4 billion to provincial GDP, and generates $8.2 billion in total economic output. More than 1,200 horse owners and 500 equine-related businesses participated in the research, which examined racing, sport, recreation, breeding, tourism, and supporting services.
The Waterfalls Agriplex partnership say that the facility is intended to complement existing agricultural infrastructure in Milverton while providing modern space suited to larger shows and year-round use. The Township of Perth East has promoted the project as a boost for both the agricultural economy and visitor traffic in the region.
Further details on construction timelines, funding partners, and programming are expected as the project advances. For updates, the organizers have directed the public to waterfallsagriplex.ca.
Source: Ontario Horse Council