Earthquake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral has opened its doors to the public for the first time in more than a decade.
Tuesday’s event was open only to community leaders and project managers and was held to mark a major milestone in the $154 million recovery project: the completion of the stabilization phase.
It has been described as a ‘massive landmark’ and the first time people have been allowed to enter since the historic Anglican church was badly damaged in the 2011 earthquake.
Building and Construction Secretary Megan Woods said it was a “holiday” for residents.
“I think this is a really important milestone for Christchurch. So much hope that we’ll be back, that we’ll see progress on what has been such a symbolically broken part of our city, that it’s coming back to life.”
Under an ambitious $154 million concept design, Christ Church Cathedral will be restored to its former glory, with a new cathedral center and visitor center adjacent.
In 2017, the restoration of the cathedral was originally estimated at $104 million, but that blew out by nearly 50 percent to $154 million.
The project is funded in part by $53 million from insurance, $6 million from raffles, and approximately $9 million from personal donations.
Christchurch City Council has awarded $10 million to help rebuild, funded by a 10-year levy on all taxpayers.
The government has provided a $10 million grant, plus a $15 million loan that does not have to be repaid if certain conditions are met.
The renovation is now entering its second phase, which involves strengthening the walls and restoring the main building and tower of the church.
That extensive work will be completed sometime in 2027.
– By Geoff Sloan
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