Seaman 1st Class Billy Turner State Veterans Cemetery (In Progress)

Ardmore, Oklahoma

Project Description

Seaman 1st Class Billy Turner State Veterans Cemetery in Ardmore, OK will be the first state-run veterans cemetery in Oklahoma. The project involved working with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, the US VA Veterans Cemetery Grant Program, and local veterans to develop a new veterans cemetery befitting the service and sacrifice of Oklahoma veterans. To paraphrase the words of our client: “At the start of this project we had set out to create our own little version of Arlington National Cemetery, and this project is perfect. It has exceeded our expectations.”

The project started with master planning efforts, and once a master plan was established, the team worked closely with ODVA and VCGP to make sure all goals, requirements, and objectives for the project were met, and that the project reflected the unique culture of ODVA and local veterans while being timeless in design. The project was designed to meet all VCGP grant requirements, and was delivered on a “fast-tracked” schedule. The project includes: a new cemetery entrance way and avenue of flags, flag pole assembly area for large events, and supporting infrastructure and site beautification. New buildings to serve the cemetery include: an administration building with a records and grave locator kiosk, public restrooms, cemetery administration space, and an honor guard room. The interior spaces have a light color palette to help evoke positive and healing emotions. A committal service shelter provides a sheltered space for veteran funeral or burial services, and is designed to be A/V compatible with live-stream capabilities allowing people to attend services virtually if they cannot attend in-person. A new maintenance facility will support cemetery operations and maintenance. Veteran burial options include: in-ground traditional, in-ground cremation, as well as columbaria burial options. Materials selected for the project are intended to create a unique, contextual, and cohesive identity for the new cemetery with primary materials selected, such as the stone, to embody strength and permanence,reflective of the US Military and its veterans.

Quick Facts

Client: Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs
Project Team: Terra Site Design (Prime), KFC Engineering, Darr & Collins, Aqua Engineering, South Beck & Baird
Project Size: 20 Acres, Phase 1: 2,100 Burials
Services Performed: Cemetery Architecture & Planning

Ardmore, Oklahoma

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