Many people who visited Calvary Cemetery over the last 7 months probably took note of damaged roads and the comings and goings of heavy excavation equipment.
That was evidence of an extensive repair to a major washout of ground at the northwest corner of the cemetery.
“This was the biggest project ever undertaken at Calvary,” commented Terry Miller, Calvary Caretaker.
An aging tile drainage system, abundant snowfall last winter and rapid melting combined to cause a large land area to slide down into the northwest ravine. Entire trees skated down the slope and a portion of the road disappeared.
“We were literally only 10 to 12 feet from having buried caskets going over the edge,” said Terry.
It took months to repair the damage with 600 dump truck loads of fill and stone riprap to restore, shore up the area and repair the road.
Terry is happy to report that the restoration and repair work is now complete and the effect is positive and stunning.
“To me it’s the prettiest part of the cemetery now. It really opened up the view,” he said.
“Bob Lorentz and his amazing crew did a phenomenal job,” he added, praising the work of W Lorentz Construction.
Terry noted that walking traffic at Calvary is way up over previous years, and feedback from all the visitors is very positive.
“The walkers have loved the restoration and new roadway.”