05-22-2009, 09:54 AM
Yesterday, May 21st 2009, phase one of the work began on building a very strong and long-lasting foundation for the wall that will honour our ancestors.
Claude Bourguignon; Ken Neil and myself were all on hand to watch this start of construction. Certainly after almost 4 years of meetings; planning; and fundraising for us all, it was an historic step.
It should also be noted that when the Town of St. Columban dug the trench on our behalf, that they were very careful not to disturb any bones that might be in the area. Luckily, it appears that there were never any burials in the immediate area of the cross near the front center of the cemetery ? and none of our ancestors were disturbed.
The effort to build this foundation appears to have gone very well. Our form contractors appeared exactly on time; and the cement truck and another special ?cement pump? truck also appeared on the site just as the forms were ready. Ken Neil certainly seems to have chosen the right contractor for this delicate job.
The next step is to add a cement structure on to the base to bring the wall just above the level of the cemetery ground and then the Town of St. Columban has agreed to return and put the earth back in around this form.
Next we will have to choose the bricks for the wall and start the wall construction likely in a week or two, after the form and foundation have completely ?cured? and hardened.
We may have to repair some grass and stuff in the cemetery where the trucks and other machinery had to move to gain access to the site.
Once again, we will likely have to raise additional funds, so if any of you would like to make a donation, please go to our front page at www.stcolumban-irish.com for details about making your donation to the St. Patrick?s Society of Montreal on behalf of this project.
We will keep you up-to-date as we move along with the project.
Thanks for your support
Fergus Keyes
Claude Bourguignon; Ken Neil and myself were all on hand to watch this start of construction. Certainly after almost 4 years of meetings; planning; and fundraising for us all, it was an historic step.
It should also be noted that when the Town of St. Columban dug the trench on our behalf, that they were very careful not to disturb any bones that might be in the area. Luckily, it appears that there were never any burials in the immediate area of the cross near the front center of the cemetery ? and none of our ancestors were disturbed.
The effort to build this foundation appears to have gone very well. Our form contractors appeared exactly on time; and the cement truck and another special ?cement pump? truck also appeared on the site just as the forms were ready. Ken Neil certainly seems to have chosen the right contractor for this delicate job.
The next step is to add a cement structure on to the base to bring the wall just above the level of the cemetery ground and then the Town of St. Columban has agreed to return and put the earth back in around this form.
Next we will have to choose the bricks for the wall and start the wall construction likely in a week or two, after the form and foundation have completely ?cured? and hardened.
We may have to repair some grass and stuff in the cemetery where the trucks and other machinery had to move to gain access to the site.
Once again, we will likely have to raise additional funds, so if any of you would like to make a donation, please go to our front page at www.stcolumban-irish.com for details about making your donation to the St. Patrick?s Society of Montreal on behalf of this project.
We will keep you up-to-date as we move along with the project.
Thanks for your support
Fergus Keyes