A privately owned crematorium could be opened in Hope as early as October with construction well underway.
The crematorium is being built by Gibbons Construction on a site next to Gardens of the World.
It will be owned by the Day family, who run the Marsden House Funeral and Cremation Home in Nile St.
The Day family also owns Gardens of the World.
Public interest in the project, which will make it the only crematorium in the Waimea region, has been high with many opposed to it. But after a win in the Environment Court, Francis Day says work is progressing well, but an official completion date is yet to be announced. “It’s all on schedule and that’s all we can really say.
“There have been no setbacks or holdups so it’s all going to plan,” he says.
Building began at the beginning of April. Francis would not disclose how much construction of the crematorium will cost but hinted that it will be the best crematorium in the region.
By Phillip Rollo
