Plans to expand Woodlawn Memorial Park cemetery moved closer to fruition on Monday, when city council unanimously agreed to take out a $2 million loan on behalf of the Guelph Cemetery Commission, pending delegated staff approval of the plan.
The issue generated no discussion during Monday’s meeting or at committee of the whole meeting earlier in the month when the request was first introduced to council.
“The city is in the early stages of this review,” said Tara Baker, city treasurer, in an email. “We have requested a number of documents from the cemetery and have also had early discussions about timing and loan term options.”
That review could take a couple months to complete, she added.
If ultimately approved, the plan is to expand Woodlawn Memorial Park, which is run by the not-for-profit cemetery commission, by about 30 acres on unused, already owned land, general manager Paul Taylor previously told GuelphToday.
The internal road network would be increased to allow ease of access to those additional lands, which would include a mix of traditional burial sites, an enlarged natural burials area and cremation gardens, as well as the creation of new dedicated religion areas.
A new crematorium is also in the works.
