December 20, 2024
Now that the snow has started to fall, we say farewell to the green season and take this time to reflect back on the year we’ve had.
The 2024 season was one like no other. What started as a typical spring suddenly turned into a difficult journey.
In July we were hit with an unprecedented challenge that rocked our industry as a whole: stage 4 citywide water restrictions halting the establishment of new plant material in Calgary and surrounding communities. We were left to face an uncertain future, wondering how the rest of the season would carry forward. Many landscape businesses felt left in the dark by the City of Calgary and struggled to have their voices be heard. This was further compounded when the water restrictions were reinstated with minimal notice, cascading into September, which was a vital time in the industry that was already far behind.
However, we did not sit idly by. With the tireless support of Landscape Alberta, we led a group of local suppliers and contractors to fight for the interests of the landscape industry as a whole. These discussions are still ongoing, and we will continue this fight through the winter to ensure our industry does not get disproportionately affected in 2025 or during other restrictions.
After all the hardships we faced this summer, we were all presented with an opportunity, and we seized it. We were blessed with a beautiful, extended fall season. Like many in the industry, we worked as hard as we could to make up for the months lost due to water restrictions. We are extraordinarily impressed with the strength and perseverance of the amazing people in this industry. More than that, we are so grateful for our amazing customers! We strive to support the industry, but the level of support and positivity we've felt in return is truly staggering.
In late September we were reminded once again how amazing our community is. We were joined by hundreds of volunteers from the Power Gardeners, the Calgary Food Bank, and many more who came out to our Turf Farm and dedicated a whole day of work to help harvest 70,000 lbs (31,000 kg) of fresh produce that was then donated to Calgarians in need. This inspired us to call upon other landowners in the area to join the cause and become a “One Acre, Difference Maker.” We are excited to see what next year will bring and how much fellow landowners can help contribute to our neighbour's in need.
Through the challenges we experienced in 2024, we have remained optimistic about what next year will bring. Working with other industry leaders has inspired us to innovate and seek solutions that meet the ever-changing needs in this environment. Which is why we encourage you to join along with us next year to witness some major changes that have been going on behind the scenes here at Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply. We are eager to show you what we have been working on.
To each and every one of our clients, staff members, and industry partners, we thank you for standing with us while we navigated the 2024 season. Challenging times like this remind us how grateful we are for each and every one of you. Enjoy the holiday season, and we look forward to helping you with all your sod & essentials in 2025!
