Clearwater County has passed a number of land use amendments clearing the way for a future five-acre expansion of the Leslieville Cemetery.

The move follows longstanding calls from local volunteers and residents to increase capacity and maintain burial space within the hamlet.

Longtime board volunteer Bob Menzies said the current land east of town can only sustain the needs of the community for another two to four years. He adds, an extra five acres could ensure the cemetery serves the community for another 50-90 years.

A redesignation approved by council will see a parcel on the far southeast corner of a quarter section just east of Leslieville subdivided away from the existing farmland.

Administration noted, the parcel would be considered the third title out of the quarter section once the cemetery consolidation is complete which goes against a recent, hotly debated policy.

The county will be the owner of the parcel, but administration indicated adjacent Bethel Union Church will continue to manage the clearing, maintenance and cemetery operations.

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RELATED

• Clearwater County approves updated MDP, includes changes to subdivisions
• Clearwater County earmarks $253K to expand Leslieville Cemetery

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Clearwater County had committed $253,000 for Leslieville cemetery expansion in its 2026 budget.

Reeve Jordon Northcott had said the 2026 budget commitment could be seen as a phased approach for work such as landscaping and tree removal on the cemetery grounds.

Council will consider funding the rest of the estimated $411,000 cost expansion in future years.