A report released by the government-commissioned Cathedral Working Group said that the damaged Christchurch Cathedral must be repaired, contrary to the Anglican Church’s position that it should be demolished and a new one built in its place.
The working group, headed by Christchurch Rebuild Minister Nicky Wagner, said in the report that the $42 million property insurance payout can be supplemented by funding from the national government and the city council, while the remainder can be financed within three to five years via a fundraising campaign.
The working group concluded that fundraising would be easier if the gothic cathedral, heavily damaged by the earthquakes of 2011, would be restored. However, restoration is the costlier option by $25 million to $35 million versus construction of a new cathedral, reported Radio New Zealand.
Bishop Victoria Matthews earlier said that the cost of rebuilding the cathedral would be “excessive” and that the Anglican Church would only agree to restore it if it did not leave the church in debt.
The church will vote on the matter in September, during the meeting of its synod, composed of 200 clergy and elected members.
The Cathedral Working Group was formed to settle the debate between the church, which wants to build a new cathedral, and heritage advocates that want to restore it. The group decided that restoring the cathedral would be good for tourism, citing that 35-40% of people surveyed went to Christchurch intending to see the cathedral.
Related stories:
Insurance complications delay ‘dirty 30’ rebuild
Great Fire of London insurance cost recalculated
NZ well on the path to recovery after massive quake - Minister
.jpg)
