The ever-changing landscape of Spruce Meadows changed again Wednesday night with the official unveiling of Founders Plaza.

It features a statue of Marg and Ron Southern as they looked out over the property that, at that time, 40 years ago, was outside Calgary.

Marg and Ron Southern officially cut the ribbon to open Founder's Plaza.

Show jumping champion Ian Miller has a great deal of respect for what the pair have accomplished.

""I am such a fan of Mr. R.D. Southern I can't tell you," Miller says "The lessons I've learned from him over the years, in our staff meetings and when I'm talking to various people I constantly use his messages and Marg, is a Goddess, she is unbelievable."

Miller added, "To come and see the statue unveiled is a very very special moment because I've been coming here for a long time, I've watched it grow step by step, you know this is real, believe me this is real from beginning to end, and they are real, from beginning to end."

Marg and Ron Southern with their statue behind them in the newly unveiled Founder's Plaza.

In his remarks, Ron Southern gave credit to everyone along the way who has shared his imagination and helped to create a lasting legacy.

Spruce Meadows President Linda Southern-Heathcott says the plaza and the statue were fitting tributes to the couple.

"Marg and Ron are such gracious people they always say thank you to everybody else and it was our way, I think our team's way to say thank you to them," she says. "They've brought people from all walks of life and it's been a great journey and at times the journey's been difficult but the journey's about meeting the people and I think my dad said it too, because people come with the right heart and mind and joined with them , you know it's like when you're on a wave and you know it's going the right way and so it's really nice for our team to be able to say thanks to mom and dad."

The plaza is available to visit through this weekend's Masters tournament.