The team overseeing the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement (CCRL) restoration initiative has revealed a substantial increase in costs, raising concerns over the project’s future if adequate funding cannot be secured.
Following the severe damage inflicted by the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, the iconic cathedral in Christchurch’s city centre has been undergoing restoration efforts. Initially estimated at $104 million in 2017, the projected cost surged to $154 million by 2020. However, a recent comprehensive review has revised the estimate significantly upwards to $248 million.
Chair of the reinstatement Mark Stewart told state media RNZ of the daunting challenge posed by the escalating costs, especially considering the project’s advancement, with more than a third already completed.
The escalation in costs continues despite efforts to streamline the scope. The CCRL board has opted to mitigate risks by eliminating deep foundation work for the tower and lower courtyard, following recommendations from the project review team.
While confident about securing an additional $26 million through fundraising and a $16 million contribution from the Anglican Church, there was still a substantial funding gap of $114 million, said Stewart, and that philanthropy alone would not suffice to bridge the deficit.
Discussions on this issue have been held with local authorities, including the council, mayor, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis. A report from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research underscored the cathedral’s significant economic value, estimating annual tourism spending of approximately $20.8 million.
Image credit: New Zealand Defence Force, CC BY 2.0
Could the people who quoted $248 million provide the public with a breakdown on how they reached that sum?
Came here to say precisely this. Are they installing gold toilets and diamond studded doors?
Hard to justify that kind of a price tag unless a substantial sum has been grifted/embezzled (but we all know THAT could never happen 😉👍)
Don’t know why they bothered. Maybe the earthquake was God’s way of sending a message. Maybe better to build a new one.
This is Ian intentional take down of any building representing colonialism. Look at the Museum building and Blue Baths in Rotorua, the Chateau is another example. It’s all on purpose.
If you want to go down another rabbit hole, look at the video,of John Key stating the Christchurch earthquake was man made, not once but TWICE. And the US Whistleblower stating the earthquake happened when they fired up the ICE CUBE NEUTRINO in Antarctica…..
Found it, they inevitably screw up.
https://www.bitchute.com/video/evd9hHb4if5d/