A friendly reminder about Gleichen cemetery

Times Contributor  

 

With melting snow and greening grass, the Gleichen Lions are sharpening mower blades and hoping to set work crews in place for maintenance of the Gleichen cemetery, and they would like a timeline on Wheatland County enhancement projects for the site. 

Lions representatives met with Wheatland County council on April 15, and indicated the club was still interested in helping with maintenance on the project and wanted an update on what was being done.

“There have been numerous discussions on the future of the cemetery,” said Ian Bolinger. “We are looking for direction on how Wheatland County is going to proceed. The Lions have been involved with the maintenance of the Gleichen cemetery for about 47 years, and our understanding is that we will continue the maintenance. We are looking forward to measures being put in place to improve the safety and efficiency in that regard.”

General Manager of Agriculture, Community and Protective Services Jim Laslo outlined that staff had been working with the engineers to survey the cemetery and identify the individuals in each of the plots. They had taken photos and recorded the plots that required some fixing, such as ground leveling, fixing cracked covers or curbing around family gravesites. Some sites will need a little modification to improve safety and allow maintenance to be done. There is $50,000 available to begin work immediately. Simple curbing on a family plot can cost about $300. 

“It is a large cemetery so cost is high,” said Laslo. “We anticipate some work will begin this year and we will try to hit the most serious matters that affect the safety of the maintenance workers and the public. I have been in contact with families and will try to work with them surrounding this.”

He said sometimes there can be difficulty resolving wishes when they are in conflict with the Act, which requires public safety be ensured for everyone.

Laslo said that there is grant money in place to put in a 36-niche columbarium for cremated remains, where memorial name plates could be placed even when families spread ashes in other designated sites.

Armand Corbiell had spoken with the Catholic Bishop in regards to the Catholic cemetery and indicated they had promised a phone call regarding their decision next week. He said the Bishop indicated who were considering what money would be allotted for the project.

“I am pleased to see you are looking to do something, as it is a heck of mess,” said Corbiell.

Ken Sauve said the Gleichen Lions had indicated they would like to see a section started even if there isn’t enough to do the whole cemetery and suggested whether further work could be phased in over time. 

“There is a plan made, based on different scenarios,” said Councillor Rex Harwood. “We can have the Lions continue maintenance and we can do some enhancements over time. There is a lot more to do, but staff could come back with an RFP for this.”

Laslo said the Lions have always done an excellent job, and said a short term and long term plan could be made. He asked council to recommend that staff develop the plans, including costs for maintenance, with direction on what parts should be developed first moving forward. Council moved to have the plans developed and brought back to council.