Demolition for quake-hit cathedral
Source: Agencies |
March 3, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
NEW Zealand's Anglican church is to demolish a 131-year-old cathedral in earthquake-devastated Christchurch because it is too dangerous and expensive to rebuild, the city's bishop said yesterday.
The Victorian-era, Gothic-style cathedral, which dominated the city's central square, was badly damaged in the February 2011 quake. The 6.3 magnitude quake killed 185 people and destroyed large areas of the business center and 6,000 homes.
The cathedral was a favorite meeting place and tourist attraction, but any chance of saving it was ended by aftershocks that caused more damage.
"The decision we have made has been made with prayer, with great deliberation, and an utmost concern for safety," Bishop Victoria Matthews said.
She said the cathedral would be demolished carefully to a height of two or three metres to salvage historic features.
"There will be no bulldozers, or wrecking balls, this will be done with deep love and respect for a building that has served us so well," Matthews said.
New Zealand faces a NZ$20 billion (US$16.5 billion) bill to rebuild its second largest city, the centre of which remains off limits a year after the quake.
Christchurch mayor Bob Parker described the demolition decision as "heartbreaking."
The Victorian-era, Gothic-style cathedral, which dominated the city's central square, was badly damaged in the February 2011 quake. The 6.3 magnitude quake killed 185 people and destroyed large areas of the business center and 6,000 homes.
The cathedral was a favorite meeting place and tourist attraction, but any chance of saving it was ended by aftershocks that caused more damage.
"The decision we have made has been made with prayer, with great deliberation, and an utmost concern for safety," Bishop Victoria Matthews said.
She said the cathedral would be demolished carefully to a height of two or three metres to salvage historic features.
"There will be no bulldozers, or wrecking balls, this will be done with deep love and respect for a building that has served us so well," Matthews said.
New Zealand faces a NZ$20 billion (US$16.5 billion) bill to rebuild its second largest city, the centre of which remains off limits a year after the quake.
Christchurch mayor Bob Parker described the demolition decision as "heartbreaking."
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