Walker Donates Rehabilitated Quarry to Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
OWEN SOUND, ON (Thursday, August 27) – Walker Industries Holdings Ltd. (“Walker”) has donated its rehabilitated East Sutherland Quarry, formerly known as Keppel Quarry, to Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (“GSCA”) for future parks and recreational use.
The 50 acres of rehabilitated lands feature forest habitat and a lake. As the landscape continues to naturally regenerate, and the quarry gradually refills with water, GSCA will use this time to develop a long-term vision for the site. In the meantime, the donated land will expand the existing trail network, support future recreational opportunities for surrounding communities, and provide an access point for visitors to The Glen Management Area.
In recognition of World Lake Day, Walker held a water ceremony on the donated land, to honour the importance of freshwater lakes to our natural ecosystems. Ceremony participants all joined by dropping rocks into the site’s natural lake, with the resulting ripples symbolizing the commitment to environmental stewardship Walker and GSCA both share.
“As a family-owned and operated company founded in Niagara Falls 139 years ago, we are honoured to donate this land to Grey Sauble Conservation Authority for the benefit of the local community,” said Geordie Walker, President and CEO of Walker. “Rehabilitating this site was a significant undertaking, completed with the support of our community partners, municipal leaders, and the Ontario Ministries of Environment, Conservation & Parks, and Natural Resources. As we continue to operate and grow in the Grey-Bruce Region, we are pleased this site will support the environment and the communities we are proud to be part of.”
After a decade-long application process, quarry operations began in 1989. Walker took ownership and operation of the site in 2019 and continued providing essential aggregates until processing and shipping stopped in 2024.
“For decades, high-quality aggregates from this site helped build the surrounding communities and supported essential infrastructure projects, including bridges, roads, homes, and highways,” said Ryan Wall, Executive Vice President, Walker Aggregates & Construction Division. “This site will now enter a new chapter as a naturalized ecosystem and recreational area for our local communities for generations to come.”
“We’d like to sincerely thank Walker for their partnership and support in facilitating this land transfer,” said Tim Lanthier, CAO of Grey Sauble Conservation Authority. “This addition will enhance public access and provide more recreational opportunities for visitors to The Glen. It is an important step in the long-term sustainability of the area, and we look forward to thoughtfully planning for its future use as it regenerates.”
The celebration was accompanied by Walker’s annual community open house, hosted by Walker employees. Guests took part in site tours, BBQ lunch, and the popular ‘Touch-a-Truck’ activity to experience heavy equipment up close.
As a fifth-generation Canadian company, Walker has 500+ employees operating an integrated network of pits, quarries, ready-mix concrete facilities, and construction services across Grey-Bruce and southern Ontario. These operations supply the materials and expertise necessary for critical infrastructure development, road construction and preservation, and a diverse range of construction projects. As Walker continues to invest in its operations, the company is committed to delivering top quality stone and services to support the area’s growing infrastructure needs.
Learn more about how Walker Aggregates is helping build stronger communities at https://walkeraggregates.com/.
Learn more about the great jobs and career opportunities at Walker at https://walkerind.com/current-opportunities/
About Walker Industries
Walker Industries, a fifth-generation, family-owned company with over 139 years in business, operates from its base in the Niagara region with facilities across Canada and the United States. Walker employs more than 1,300 people in environmental waste management and recovery, renewable energy, paving and construction, aggregates, and emulsion chemistries. For more information, visit www.walkerind.com.
L-R: Chris Breen, Vice-President Government and Community Relations – Walker, Ryan Dosch, General Manager, Aggregates, Simcoe – Walker, Ryan Wall, Executive Vice President, Aggregates and Construction – Walker, Sarah Nicoll-Lawler, Operations Manager, Aggregates, Grey-Bruce – Walker, Mayor Sue Carleton, Georgian Bluffs, Geordie Walker, President and CEO – Walker, Scott Greig – Deputy Mayor, Owen Sound, Tim Lanthier – CAO, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, Navia Sharma, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Affairs – Walker
For further information, please contact:
Cody Cabral
Communications Lead
M: 289-257-0528