Current Issues
Pioneer Square (Old Burying Ground) Planning Project
A very successful, well-attended Open House was held at Christ Church Cathedral on June 21. A number of display panels explained the history of Pioneer Square and the issues needing attention and improvement. Through this open house; public consultation sessions in the square on June 23 and 29; and an online version, about 300 respondents completed a questionnaire.
The Advisory Group is studying the results of the survey. The next step is to draft a management plan reflective of the Advisory Group conversations and the open house results. It is hoped to meet again in early October to discuss the first draft. A second open house is planned for later.
Two reports have been completed: a "Stone Conservation Report" by Ken Johnson, and a "Tree Resource" report by Talbot Mackenzie and Associates describing trees in the square.
The City of Victoria website has a page for the Pioneer Square planning project: http://www.victoria.ca/cityhall/compar_prkimp-consult-pioneer-square.shtml#
The OCS website has a Pioneer Square (Old Burying Ground) section at http://www.oldcem.bc.ca/cem_pn.htm
Ross Bay Restoration 2000 - A Millennium Project of OCS
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The goal of the project was to complete restoration and conservation work on 160 monuments in the cemetery during the year 2000. This major project was made possible through support from the Canada Millennium Partnership Program, the BC 2000 Community Spirit Program, the City of Victoria, and public donations.
An "as-is" survey was completed to locate markers and monuments at risk and establish priority lists of sites to be worked on in the following categories:
- ceramic-tiled grave tops
- marble and slate grave tops
- iron fences
- broken or flat-lying grave markers
- broken or vandalized monuments
The work carried out involved:
- Removal of flat-lying markers from the ground; cleaning and resetting them in new cement collars
- Cleaning and preparation of selected ceramic and marble/slate grave tops for repair and resetting. Repair involved recasting new ceramic tiles to replace missing ones and purchasing new marble and slate.
- Brushing and painting of iron fencing. Removal and professional repair was necessary for some sites.
- Repair of broken and damaged monuments.
A detailed report was prepared describing the project from start to finish
The project was carried out through volunteer effort, contracts with professional tradespeople, and the cooperation of the City of Victoria Parks Department. Ross Bay Restoration 2000 stands as our largest single project to date, and we are proud of its scope and the way it has enhanced this beautiful site.
New Project - The Old Cemeteries Society has embarked on a new project!
Ross Bay Row Marker Project - see example
As of December 2009, Ross Bay Cemetery has no physical markers to show the location of sections, rows and plot numbers. We have a very good, detailed map but no good way of locating a particular row or plot. Right now we have to find plots by comparing the map with features on the ground and then counting to the desired location. Once there we must cross reference to adjacent markers to ensure accuracy. This takes a lot of time and is not always totally correct.
Our new project will place markers in three bands running East and West across the cemetery. Each marker will show the section, row and plot number for that particular location. This will allow everyone to easily and accurately find specific grave locations.
You can help!
Each marker will cost $25 to engrave - the material has been generously donated by Colonial Countertops. Your donations labelled “Row Marker Project” will go directly to this project and you will receive a charitable donation receipt and a letter identifying the location of your donated marker(s).
Please help us mark Ross Bay Cemetery today by mailing your cheque (made out to OCS) to: OCS, Box 50004, #15-1594 Fairfield Rd, Victoria, BC V8S 1G1
Dec 5, 2009 - Another path of destruction!
On Friday morning almost 50 headstones were found damaged at Ross Bay
Cemetery. Representatives from the Old Cemeteries Society executive attended
the scene of the crime on Saturday morning to list and photograph the
damage.
We have attached a few pictures of some damaged markers. The swath
seems to have started at the south east corner at St Charles Lane and ended
by the washrooms at Memorial Crescent.
The City Parks Dept. was very quick
to address the problem by reporting the vandalism to Police and authorizing
Mortimer's Monumental Works to start work immediately. 23 monuments were
repaired immediately and the remaining will be attended to on Monday
December 7, 2009. We will be notifying any descendants we have in our
records. Another senseless act of cowardice.
Read the Times Colonist Article
Aug 2009 Recent Vandalism at Ross Bay Cemetery -
- CTV News
Vandalism - has been a problem in RBC throughout its existence.
Read more about cemetery vandalism
City of Victoria - Parks Division - Cemeteries | 
