The project, approved by Victoria city council in April, includes grave preservation, new walkways and lighting.
Ravenstone Inc., which opened in Victoria about a year ago, was awarded the $160,000 contract to repair the bases of 32 tombstones in the square.
“Each one requires it’s own special touch, so to speak. We have to treat them as artifacts and give them the respect they deserve,” said Ravenstone manager Shawn Thibault.
The company won’t restore the tombstones, which would involve rebuilding the markers, but will instead repair and preserve them.
Despite the few tombstones that remain, about 1,300 people are buried in the square.
Wilf Bruch, the past president of the Old Cemeteries Society and a current representative for the society on the city’s design committee, said he’s pleased work is finally starting on the project.
“It’s been treated as a park for so long and nothing’s been done for years, so it’s nice to finally see some upgrades,” Bruch said.
The society keeps a list on its website of all the people known to be buried in the cemetery, including Dr. John Helmcken — a pioneer doctor from the late 19th century and the founding president of the British Columbia Medical Association.
Bruch hopes the preservation prompts citizens to take a greater interest in their city’s history.
Doug DeMarzo, the city’s manager of parks planning and design, said city staff are also looking for community groups to step forward to help fund preservation of the remaining tombstones.
The city plans to close down the section of Rockland Avenue that borders the park during the work, which is tentatively scheduled to start in late September and last a year, DeMarzo said.
