Efforts are well underway to more than double the size of the Olds Cemetery and to develop it into more of a park, town officials say.
Improvements include a gazebo and gathering area as well as a memorial forest to honour members of the Lions Club who have passed away.
Plans also call for additional columbaria space, more room for the interment of loved ones as well as benches and additional landscaping. Columbaria have niches where people can place urns containing the ashes of those who have passed away.
Back in 2016, town officials concluded that the existing 13-acre cemetery was reaching capacity. So plans were commenced to develop an additional 20-acre parcel immediately south of the existing facility over several decades.
In 2017, the Olds Lions Club, on behalf of Lion clubs in southern Alberta, approached town officials with a proposal to establish a memorial forest to pay tribute to Lions Club members who have passed away.
“The memorial forest concept fit well into the town’s existing plans for the Olds Cemetery to include features like a gazebo and memorial spaces beyond traditional interment plots,” says Doug Wagstaff, the town's director of community services.
The club agreed to sponsor 110 trees which were planted in 2018. A gazebo was built in the fall. Landscaping in the area is expected to be completed later this year.
Last year, a parking lot improvement project was undertaken in the southwest corner of the existing cemetery — at the entrance to the new expansion area.
"The intent of the additions in the expansion is to create a more park-like setting as a memorial park with gathering spaces to complement gravestones and memorial monuments," a town news release says.
The club has committed to fund $20,000 toward the cost of the trees. It's already three-quarters of the way toward that goal.
The Lions Club has also committed to raising funds over the next two years to cover the $70,000 cost for the construction of the gazebo and to develop a gathering area.
A memorial plaque will be placed at the foot of each tree in honour of deceased Lions Club members. Signage to identify the memorial area will also be installed.
Henry Czarnota is a member of the Olds Lions Club and is heading up the project for the Lions Club provincially.
“The completed project will have an impact on people — a pleasing place to visit," he says. "As the trees mature around the gazebo, it will be a comforting place when people come to honour a friend or family member.”
"A memorial tree forest with a gazebo is a way to commemorate service of Lions members and at the same time develop a lasting legacy for the entire community to enjoy," the release says.
