HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-08-050 - Proposed Mausoleum Development at Williamsburg Cemetery
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Community Services
Report To:
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Community Services Committee
May 26,2008
Keith Baulk, Director, Enterprise Division, 2393
Lorelei Eckel-Braun
all
May 8, 2008
CSD-08-050
PROPOSED MAUSOLEUM DEVELOPMENT AT
WilliAMSBURG CEMETERY
RECOMMENDATION:
That pre-commitments to purchase crypts total a minimum of 600/0 of the total capacity of
the proposed Mausoleum at Williamsburg before a business case is presented to
committee for consideration.
BACKGROUND:
The provision of crypts in mausoleums is a service that the City of Kitchener has provided to its'
citizens since 1924. The City currently owns three mausoleums. All are located at Woodland
Cemetery. Two of the existing buildings have been sold out since the 1970's. In 1995, a small,
simple addition was added to the back of one mausoleum. While it did not provide a style of
crypt space that was popular with customers, 90 of the 100 crypt spaces are sold. There are
only 10 crypts available in the City's current inventory.
In May 2006, Council received report CSD-06-016 that provided an assessment of
recommendations and action plans associated with the Cemetery Strategic Business Plan
(Galloway and Associates) that was tabled with Council in 2005. One of the recommendations
outlined in the report was that the City should determine the feasibility of a mausoleum
development at Williamsburg Cemetery. As a result, staff was directed to gauge public interest
in purchasing crypts through a pre-need feasibility campaign.
REPORT:
Staff have initiated a pre-need feasibility campaign to gauge the public's interest in a potential
new mausoleum at Williamsburg Cemetery. Current cemetery legislation prevents pre-
payments for undeveloped interment property, so the campaign involves having people sign an
expression of interest by placing their names and telephone numbers on a reservation list. This
is the only manner of confirmation possible to identify that they would like to purchase a crypt in
the new mausoleum.
CSC-08-050
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The campaign included radio and print advertising targeting primarily the Kitchener market and
has utilized the local newspapers, ethnic newsletters, churches, and funeral homes to reach
families, as well as hosting several open houses.
The proposed mausoleum would include 140 single adult crypt spaces. This will equate to a
modest sized mausoleum that should meet the needs of families for several years, while
ensuring that there is not an excess of inventory in the long term. If demand dictates, the
building would be designed in a manner that will allow for future additions.
Staff are proposing a target of 600/0 confirmed reservations which is a standard requirement in
the private sector for construction financing. However, there will be some risk in moving forward
even if the 600/0 target is achieved. As indicated, placement of a deposit is not permitted until
the facility is constructed so there may be some drop-off when the facility is completed and it
comes time to make a final commitment to pre- pay.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The capital cost for this project, sales projections, return on investment analysis and budgets
would be included in the final business case to be presented in the fall of 2008.
Keith Baulk
Director Enterprise Division, Community Services