Groundbreakings are a tradition and significant milestone for projects at EllisDon – a line of shovels digging up the first dirt of a brand-new project. It’s an opportunity to see the site, to imagine the incredible building set to rise from simple earth.

It’s a classic for a reason. But what if we could infuse more humanity, more hope, and more community into that moment? The beginning of the 261-unit affordable housing development at 60 Caledon in Hamilton, Ontario – a project led by our London office, in close collaboration with our Community Builders team –offered us the opportunity to do something different.

Instead of shovels, dignitaries were invited to write their hopes for the development on biodegradable paper. The paper was then inserted into biodegradable capsules, which were dropped into augured holes on site. It is our hope that these messages of intent, purpose, and respect for the community leave a lasting impression, carry deeper significance and make a bigger impact.

Victoria Park Community Homes also gave all guests wildflower seed paper gifts to take away and plant as an enduring reminder of the “seeds of progress” planted at this ceremony.

“We’ve taken the traditional photo opportunity and turned it into an enduring reflection on what this development will mean for the community,” said Nick Gefucia, Senior Vice President at EllisDon. “It’s fitting for a project that has had community collaboration from the beginning, that we honour the passion and commitment that has gone into this uplifting moment.”

Innovation is the foundation on which EllisDon was built. We continue to push boundaries and challenge traditions, bringing fresh ideas to everything we do.It is in this spirit that EllisDon Community Builders is suggesting a new, meaningful way for its clients to celebrate this key project milestone.