The Diocese of Christchurch received news today that the coalition Government has chosen not to fund the $60 million restoration shortfall for the city’s historic Cathedral.
Chair of Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited (CCRL), Mark Stewart said that today’s decision from the Government to not provide further funding towards the reinstatement of Christ Church Cathedral is both sad and disappointing.
The Government’s decision comes on the heels of the Christchurch Diocesan Synod’s approval for a reconfigured restoration plan, which focused the project down from a larger collection of buildings to first restore the historic stone Cathedral building.
CCRL’s Mark Stewart said the Board will now take time to consider the implications of the Government’s decision, which has made the pathway to completion much longer and means that ‘mothballing’ of the project is now likely.
Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited will meet on 19 August to look at their options going forward and will make further announcements on the future of the Cathedral reinstatement at that time.
This week the Christchurch City Council had agreed to fulfil its commitment to release $7 million it had already collected from a targeted rate towards reinstatement, but CCRL have now asked Council to pause the funding until a decision has been made on the pathway to completion.
“This is a sad day for Christchurch.” said Mark Stewart.
“With the final anchor projects now being completed alongside significant private and civic investment, Christchurch is enjoying a wonderful renaissance as a modern and vibrant city.”
“Completing the reinstatement of the city’s iconic Cathedral in the very heart of the city in Cathedral Square would be a very fitting capstone to this.”
