For the Record-Times

WHEATLAND — Citizen driven projects account for much of what happens in a community, and Wheatland is no exception.  According to Mayor Joe Fabian, several such projects have been brought forth and supported by the Town Council in recent years.   “Projects that add value to our community are often brought forth by a group of citizens, worked on by volunteers, with support from the town,” he said.  “There are several projects going on right now that have been citizen driven, one of the most recent is the columbarium at the town cemetery.”
This project, to create a room or building with niches for funeral urns, was brought forth by a committee formed through Covenant Lutheran Church.  Pastor Josh Bruns said the concept was motivated by the congregation who identified a need for people who want to consider this option.   The church formed a committee who began researching the project.  Committee chair, Connie Thomas, said “As we gathered more and more information, it became clear that providing a place for cremated remains would be more appropriate at the cemetery, rather than having a private columbarium at our church.” From there the committee met with the Mayor and Town Council where it was agreed to place the columbarium at the cemetery.

Work has begun on the columbarium which will contain sixty niches (vaults).  Each niche can hold up to two urns, depending on the size of the urn.  The columbarium is at the entrance of the cemetery, with the niches facing east, and each one covered in black granite which can be engraved.  The west side of the columbarium will be covered in river rock to match the entrance, which itself was a citizen driven project coordinated by Pat Mitchell and Donita Graves creating an area for visitors to easily search and locate gravesites.
The Town purchased the columbarium with the expectation that it will pay for itself in a short amount of time.  According to Mayor Fabian costs of purchasing a niche will not be determined until all the work is completed.  
Another citizen driven project is the miniature golf course in Lewis Park.  “This has been a dream of Tom Bramlet for years,” said Mayor Fabian.   “Tom approached the town several months ago, after he had already gained community support for the miniature golf course.”  From there we appointed a committee to work with him and since then they have come up with a design and a host of fundraising ideas.  “The Town agreed to provide the land, the manpower, and the maintenance while others in the community are providing design concepts and sponsoring holes.”   According to Tom Bramlet, Wheatland high school students are taking part in designing each hole that will feature an icon representative of our history.   “When finished the miniature golf course will be ADA accessible, provide several part-time jobs, and be a wonderful addition for our community.”   The golf course will be done by Memorial Day, 2018.
Mayor Fabian said the Town is also in the process of installing a dog park at Deringer Park, another example of a citizen driven project.  Funds for the dog park were bequeathed by Jim Dunham, a former clerk-treasurer for the town who loved his hometown.    “For some time now we’ve been enforcing the leash law at Lewis Park.  The new dog park will be an ideal location for people to exercise their pets without having to keep them on a leash.  We’re installing the fence in the next few weeks,” he said.  “After that we’ll add benches and exercise equipment as funds allow.”

ABOVE: Terry Brandt, a bricklayer in Wheatland, is fronting the columbarium with river rock donated by citizens of the community.  Volunteers are needed to assist him with the project.  If you are interested please contact Connie Thomas at 331-3269.  

(Courtesy photo)