qathet Regional District’s committee of the whole is recommending the regional board allow flowers in the mausoleum at Powell River Regional Cemetery.
At the May 3 committee of the whole meeting, directors considered a report from manager of operational services Patrick Devereaux, who presented four options to the board. The first was to carry on with the status quo of not allowing flowers, the second was to change the bylaw to allow flowers to be set out on the floor, the third was to build shelving, and the fourth was to install a wheeled plant stand near the glass niches.
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox recommended the fourth option.
“I really appreciate staff’s report on this issue and it has been very descriptive of some of the safety concerns, how many users, and the space limitations,” said Lennox. “Option four, having a rolling shelf or container is a reasonable cost. It also gives options when any of those safety concerns arise.
“I’d like to provide something for folks who obviously have a need.”
City director and committee chair Cindy Elliott said she was happy that the regional district could move forward with options. She asked if the regional district would be getting back to the individual who brought the matter of flowers in the mausoleum to the regional district’s attention.
Devereaux said he had been in touch with Don Villani, who had made a presentation to the committee of the whole in January, asking that flowers be allowed to be placed in front of crypts in the mausoleum.
Villani told the committee that he had brought flowers to the mausoleum in the past and nothing was said. He took flowers to recognize the first anniversary of his wife’s passing and four days later he went to visit. The flowers had been removed and had been put on the far side of the mausoleum on a bench, according to Villani.
Devereaux said if the board passes the recommendation at the end of May, he will let Villani know the results.
According to the report from Devereaux, the building of a wheeled plant stand would sit adjacent to the glass niches and would provide a place for flowers to sit, however, it would not be in front of any niches and could only hold a few plants. The staff estimate was $2,500 for the planter and an ongoing cost of approximately $775 per year.
