COLD LAKE – Along with a plea for financial assistance, those involved with a Cold Lake cemetery are urging action to upgrade and preserve the historical St. Dominic's Cemetery.
At the Cold Lake council regular council meeting on March 26, a presentation was made requesting financial support for the upgrade and maintenance of St. Dominic's Cemetery. In attendance was Lilie Hankey, chairperson of the St. Dominic's Cemetery Society, and member at large Tom Fletcher. The two speakers highlighted the historical significance of the cemetery and the urgent need for funding to address critical infrastructure requirements.
Hankey explained the mission of the St. Dominic's Cemetery Society, stating, “Our mission with the St. Dominic's Cemetery is to upgrade, beautify, and maintain the cemeteries. We can continue to offer our services for the next 10 years. At this time, we are asking for $76,000 to fund an immediate need for a 10-year plan.”
The presentation outlined the challenges faced by the society, including the limited availability of burial plots. Hankey noted, “We have only four casket plots remaining at St. Dominic's, whereas there are eight plots for caskets at Assumption. We're running out of plots.”
Tom Fletcher provided insights into the ongoing efforts to maintain the cemetery, stating, “St. Dominic's Cemetery is located 800 feet along 8th Street to 16th Avenue. There's the main gate in looking north towards the lake, 800 feet, and south towards 16th Avenue. There's the gate, pedestrian gate, it's always open, so people can go in there and visit their predecessors.”
Hankey also highlighted the community support and contributions received by the cemetery, saying, “We receive funding from the sale of our burial plots and donations, particularly from grateful family members. We charge $500 for a plot. Additionally, we receive $1,000 annually from St. Dominic Parish. All funds obtained are solely for the use of the Cemetery Society.”
The presentation detailed the specific areas where funding is needed, including headstone curbs, concrete work, new burial plots, and maintenance equipment.
Hankey explained, “We thought if we can get the concrete to all be done in one year or two years, then we can concentrate on the rest of the stuff. So, St. Dominic's has it marked out for 72 new plots for caskets and our urn area will be 84 plots.”
Hankey expressed the society's gratitude for any assistance from the City of Cold Lake, stating, “Assumption Cemetery is going to go for 40 plus plots and then they have no urn area in existence right now, so they're going to go in with a full 160 immediately... So we sure would appreciate your help.”
Council voiced appreciation for the presentation and will revisit the request at a future meeting.
