Since our last update, the task of rewiring the Cathedral has been completed. This will ensure the safety and efficiency of the electrical system for years to come. The stairs to the choir loft have been redesigned and replaced. This was required to allow space for the steel reinforced concrete structures which are a key element of the earthquake strengthening work.
Moisture issues with the windows in the Choir Loft have been repaired where necessary. An internal wall has been removed in the foyer. This has opened up the space with hopes that it will become a vibrant space for people to meet, connect and gather after Mass and other community events.
Over the next couple of months leading up to the reopening, the leaking chapel windows will be repaired and the windowsills rebuilt. Acoustic insulation is being placed under the platform steps at the back of the Cathedral to reduce echoes now that rewiring is complete.
The focus is beginning to shift to restoring the interior which includes recarpeting, repainting and re-installing lighting. The stonework on the exterior of the Cathedral continues to be repaired and replaced, with only a few areas left to complete.
The countdown is on for us to be “home again.”