Stage one of the strengthening of St Mary of the Angels in central Wellington could begin very soon if another $700,000.00 is raised.
The total cost of the first stage is $2,700,000.00.
$2,000,000.00 has already been raised.
A spokesperson for the parish, James Young, spoke at all Masses last weekend.
He said the contractors have scheduled a commencement date for early this year.
Young said if the money has not been raised by that time, the work would have to be rescheduled.
“The contractors cannot be expected to wait around. Construction work in Wellington is ramping up and it is important that we fit into the contractors’ schedule,” he said.
Another reason for urgency is that applications to the lottery board for 2015 must be submitted by February 18.
Young said they are reasonably confident that the lotteries board will provide a significant grant for stage 2.
However the board requires that one third of the total cost of a the project has been raised before they will consider the application.
The total cost of the restoration is $9,300,000.00.
In addition to the $2,000,000.00 now available, $600,000.00 has already spent on research and planning.
So a further $600,000.00 is required to to reach the one third threshold required by the lotteries board.
Until the strengthening is completed, the church cannot be used.
St Mary of the Angels parish masses are presently being celebrated in four different venues.
Source
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