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Penticton council has endorsed a report focused on development, use and services related to the city's two cemeteries.
The 2013 Penticton Cemeteries Master Plan, created by Lees and Associates, was accepted at this week's council meeting. The next step will be for staff to develop operational and capital work plans to implement the recommendations in the plan, subject to annual budget approvals.
"Cemeteries are an important part of our community, they are where we inter our loves ones," said Councillor Wes Hopkin. "So this is about making sure we plan for our future."
The city commissioned Lees and Associates to prepare the plan to guide the development and provision of cemetery services for the city over the next 25 years.
The main findings of the report were as follows:
- Fairview Cemetery is closed for new interments and Lakeview will reach in-ground interment capacity in six years.
- Lakeview can expect an average of 256 interments per year, comprised of 27 percent in- ground traditional full casket burials, 64 percent in- ground interment of cremated remains and 8 percent cremated remains in coumbaria niches.
- Twenty five years of additional burial capacity is available for development at Lakeview and phased expansion of the bare land on the southwest corner of the property should commence in 2017.
- The 10 acre Munson Mountain property or an alternative property should be secured for future cemetery needs beyond 2035
- Fairview is in need of restoration and landscape refurbishing.
- Recommended capital upgrades include an irrigation system, landscape improvements and entry upgrades at Lakeview, in addition to other projects, and restoration of graves, monuments, the fence, furniture and irrigation at Fairview.
The estimated cost of the expansion and upgrades being $1,311,000.
"Fairview needs a little more love and Lakeview is running out of space," said Councillor Andrew Jakubeit. "So we need to start laying out this action plan."
