The third phase of the Westbank Cemetery opened to the public Friday morning.

The new phase consists of three sections, each with burial and cremation plots. In total, there are 427 full size plots and over 400 cremation plots available. Additionally, there is also a memorial wall for plaques, and memorial benches and trees that are available. Unlike in the existing plots, the curb and seal process won't be used but rather they will be left with a mostly grass covering.

Established in 1925, Westbank Cemetery was originally a complete gravel cemetery. The City of West 琉璃神社, which took over operation of the cemetery, held public consultations in 2013 where staff heard that the public wanted to see upgrades made to the cemetery.

The first upgrade, phase one, was to add the mausoleum to the site. The second phase was improving the landscape of the existing burial plots, and then phase three began in 2014. Sales have gone up 300% since the cemetery began undergoing the upgrades, and there is already interest in the new plots available in phase three.

City staff estimate the will get about 20 years out of the new expansion, and noted there are plans for a fourth phase on the other side of Elliot Road, where the city owns two acres of land.