Long-term plans for Belsyde Cemetery may eventually impact the living – specifically ball teams using Highland Park.
While such a move is likely a few decades away, it appears a preferred concept plan calls for the removal of ball diamonds at Highland Park, on St. David Street South between Princess and Albert Streets, to accommodate a new main entry for Belsyde Cemetery.
On Aug. 24 cemetery designer Carol Bacon, of Hilton Landmarks Inc., outlined the draft Belsyde Cemetery Master Plan on behalf of the township, which manages two active cemeteries in Elora and Fergus.
Bacon explained a cemetery master plan is required to review future interment options based on community demographics and trends.
Centre Wellington engineering services coordinator Adam Dickieson said the township hired Hilton Landmarks Inc. last year to assist with the master plan.
The 14.8-acre Belsyde Cemetery has undeveloped areas, but there are a number of challenges to consider, Bacon said, including large slopes in the undeveloped cemetery, various memorial and burial options, and how best to utilize the current property.
“One of the things we discovered along this journey is that the existing cemetery land is pretty much at capacity for development,” said Bacon.
Specifically, she noted there he is a deficiency in the current supply of in-ground cremation lots and the cemetery is nearing the developed capacity of casket lots.
She explained the plan includes future development of the cemetery in three main phases: the first covering the next decade, Phase 2 covering the next 20 year, and the final phase looking at 2038 and beyond.
The preferred overall concept includes use of the adjacent 4.1-acre Highland Park, a well-used summer venue with three ball diamonds, to meet cemetery needs to 2038 and beyond.
Bacon stressed that long before the proposed use of Highland Park, there are other strategies that can be used to extend the life of the current cemetery boundaries.
To address new burial trends, Bacon suggested a mix of interment and memorial options and proposed increasing the number of columbariums and adding scattering gardens for ashes.
Bacon said developing Block ‘C’ in Phase One will cost $504,000, but the rate of return on that investment is potentially $1.5 million, which could be used towards other capital development projects.
This would meet township needs for the next five to 10 years and provide “some time to start planning for further development,” Bacon said.
She added another area that could be developed is the area of old divisions A and B of the cemetery. She said tree plantation areas have the potential for in-ground burials and provide a high rate of return as they are located in a heritage area of the cemetery.
However, Bacon noted ground-penetrating radar would need to be used to determine if there are any interments in the plantation areas, as records are not necessarily complete. She said the area was developed in the 1860s and that information was transferred to a later plan.
Bacon suggested the minimum development costs would be about $187,000 and possible return on investment for casket burials is $1.9 million and for cremations is $1.8 million.
Bacon said development of Block D, which requires the least amount of grading, would cost $108,000 with a potential rate of return in that section of $578,000. She said that work should satisfy the in-ground burial needs for the next nine to 13 years, which allows for planning of Phase 2.
Bacon said the Block D costs in Phase 2 include a cremation/columbarium feature with architectural features, in addition to in-ground cremation lots. It would also include a more natural forested area, which would deal with the steep grades of the land.
Bacon believes this would address cemetery needs until 2038.
Councillor Fred Morris asked for clarification.
“Is it the intent that over time, the ball park will become cemetery land?”
Bacon suggested that would be the most natural progression of the cemetery, as compared to finding a new cemetery location within the township. However, she stressed need would depend on the growth of the area.
Morris then asked when that change might occur.
Bacon suggested work to make that land available could begin within the next 15 years, possibly earlier, depending on the needs and growth of the municipality.
Part of the report notes that while the additional land may not be required for a number of years, this concept would require input from the public to ensure concerns are received by the township.
Bacon said one of the things heard from staff is the cemetery currently lacks the variety of options compared to what is being requested by the public.
“Having a variety of options gives a lot more opportunity to serve a wider base of the socioeconomic community.” She pointed out use of a scattering garden is less expensive than in-ground cremation burial.
Mayor Kelly Linton appreciated that the report included detailed financial information.
While there is considerable cost to development the property, Bacon’s presentation of the preferred concept plan suggests revenues generated will sustain phased development in a cost-effective manner.
Council received the report for information. It will be posted on the township website and at the township office for review by members of the community.
If adopted by council this fall and approved under Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act, implementation of the phased work could begin next spring.
