When I read in the Press last week that the proposed “People’s Steeple” had been rejected by the committee rebuilding the Anglican Cathedral in the Square I thought to myself “another bunch of boring bastards destroying a wonderful initiative”. Here’s the article:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/126157034/peoples-steeple-plan-rejected-for-christ-church-cathedral-restoration.
There would be worldwide interest in the “Peoples Steeple”. Tuesday Club attendees will recall the model being assembled at Smash Palace. The proposal was well thought out and supported. It would be a genuine community development exercise. It would draw together young and old. Rich and poor. Its construction would be watched worldwide. People would visit Christchurch just to look at the steeple.
But no. Grey porridge thinking prevails. Boring decision makers have decided that it must be built the same way as it went up. However, this time they are replacing it with steel. How bloody imaginative. I’d love to see a copy of both costings, steel versus the people’s steeple. They are spending public funds so we should have access to their calculations.
I was meaning to contact Marcus Brandt to express sympathy for his wonderful idea being dumped by mediocrity. Then up he bounced in the Press. Here’s what he said:
“I am disappointed that the design team doesn’t have the vision to properly consider the wooden spire that we are talking about,’’ he said.
“I have a lot of empathy and sympathy with them. They are faced with an impossible job on a tight budget. They are laser focused on getting it within budget.
“This is a difficult thing that is outside their regular engineering comfort zone.”
I still think we should challenge those who are making this important decision. Are we to allow grey porridge thinking to dominate in our City; or can imagination and participation play a role?
I say go for it Marcus. Write an article for us.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/126227401/christ-church-cathedral-peoples-steeple-campaigner-not-done-despite-rejection.
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