Repairs to Assumption church get heritage committee approval

The City of Windsor's heritage committee has approved $1.35 million of the restoration needed for the first phase of the historic Assumption Church.

"We're very pleased. The response we had from city hall and from the meeting today was everything we had hoped to have," said lawyer Paul Mullins, who is overseeing the restoration.

If approved by city council on June 3, the first phase will include a new roof with copper shingles, a new heating system and asbestos abatement.

The restoration has been 10 years in the making. Mullins said the restoration committee expects to utilize $250,000 of heritage committee money for the project. They are also fundraising through a purchase-a-shingle program.

If someone donates $250, they get to put their name or the name of a loved one on the back of one of the shingles.

It's expected the shingles will last anywhere from 80 to 100 years. 

• Winning bid for Assumption Church under budget

Mullins said they are also taking precautions to avoid a fire like the one that heavily damaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris last month.

"As soon as we saw that fire happen, we asked the architects to take a fresh look at the whole lighting system — the whole electrical work, and to review the protocols that would be in place while any work is being done there," said Mullins.

"Really, Assumption is our Notre Dame."

Architect Allan Avis told the committee no welding torches will be used close to any parts of the wooden frame structure of the building.

The work is expected to take all summer with the church reopening in the fall.