Board chairman Lance Ryan said there were many complex issues affecting the decision making, but they had discovered new information on the state of the current Cathedral.

Ryan said that if the cathedral was rebuilt on the existing location, specific deep foundations would be needed to support the four internal dome columns and the heavy bell tower.

"The remainder of the structure could use the existing shallow foundations, which would need to be strengthened to tolerate up to 90 millimetres of differential settlement in a major earthquake," he said.

Ryan said there were still more issues which needed to be considered before a decision could be made.

Source

• The Press
• Image: National Library

Management Board chairman Lance Ryan said discussions leading up to a decision on whether the cathedral would be rebuilt or demolished could well be at least six, and more likely 12, months away.

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"We are really looking at three options - whether to demolish the existing building, to retain what we can of the basilica and rebuild to its former glory, or, in the short-term, whether or not to mothball the building until we have a clearer picture," said cathedral management board chairman Lance Ryan.

Early indications were that the costs of retaining and rebuilding the basilica were in the vicinity of $100m. The nave was the only part of the existing building that could be retained, but it would still need extensive reinforcing to bring it up to the required standard.

With insurance negotiations still on-going, the diocese is stil in the early stages of preparing a strategic plan on the number and location of churches to be built in the future. This will later be presented to Bishop Barry Jones for consideration.

Ryan said that the cathedral management board is in full support of the plan as it was essential that all churches in the diocese are considered and not just the Cathedral.

"The planning group needs to consult with a wide range of people throughout the diocese while also looking at the changes that have occurred to the city's population demographics.

"All these factors, as well as establishing the status of all insurance claims, need to be known before a comprehensive report can be completed."

• The Press
• The New Zealand Herald
• Image: Christchurch Art Gallery

The Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament leaders are considering whether to restore the building for more than $100m or build a new cathedral for about $40m.

"I am still 50-50. Half of me wants to restore it to its former glory and half wants to build a new one," said board chairman Lance Ryan. "I am trying to get a decision from the engineers by Christmas," he said.

A similar decision faces the Anglicans. Divisions became apparent with the resignation of the Dean of the Cathedral, Peter Beck, last week. It is said Bishop Matthews appears to favour demolishing the cathedral and building a new church, either on the same site or elsewhere. Beck, it is said, wants to repair the cathedral and restore it to its former glory.

They also disagree over the distribution of fundraising money - the bishop wanting to scatter the money among all of Christchurch's parishes. The bishop is said to have taken full control of all decisions, leaving Beck out in the cold.

Source

• The Christchurch Press - A Tale of Two Cathedrals
• The Christchurch Press - Bishop at odds with some over future of Catheral
• Image: Popsci and ASC