Cemetery running out of room, Sudbury OKs $4M expansion
With a waitlist in place for some burial services, Greater Sudbury has approved a $4 million expansion of the Civic Memorial Mausoleum.
Built in 2000, the facility on Second Avenue has been expanded four times, most recently in 2012. It offers such services as in-ground burials, crypts that hold caskets and niches for cremated remains.
But the facility is reaching capacity, particularly for crypts, a staff report on the project said.
"As of December 2019, there are no crypt spaces available and the inventory for niche spaces will require replenishment by 2023 based on historic sales," the report said.
"There is a continued demand for interior crypt and niche spaces. Currently, there is a waiting list for approximately 100 crypts."
Originally slated to cost $2 million when approved in 2021, soaring global inflation has helped drive up the total budget to $4 million, an increase approved by city council Tuesday evening.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
While the budget has doubled, the extra costs won’t be taken from municipal taxpayers. There is a reserve fund in place to finance the expansion, which will be repaid as the new crypts and niches are sold.
"We kind of gave the resolution to go forward with the $4 million build, so now it'll take about 18 months," said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre.
"There's a lot of work involved with engineering and architects but after that we figure it'll be about 18 months before people are able to purchase crypts and niches."
"The additional $1,950,000 would be borrowed from the Cemetery Care & Maintenance Trust Fund to cover the remaining total project cost of $4,000,000 resulting in no property tax levy impact from the project construction," the staff report said.
"This project is expected to generate total net revenue which will be sufficient to fully replenish the … fund of $4,000,000 by 2036."
City staff expects all of the additional space to be sold by 2036.
Read the full report here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.