Work began on Tuesday morning on the foundations of a temporary cathedral in Christchurch, which will be mainly constructed out of cardboard.
About 600 square metres of ground is being cleared for the cathedral, which have 700 seats, on a site near Latimer Square, across the road from where the Canterbury Television building collapsed last year.
BECA says a quarter of the $5 million budget will be spent on ensuring it has reinforced foundations, which is nearly five times the amount initially set aside for the work.
Anglican diocese property manager Gavin Holley, says the temporary building will fill the void created by the loss of the cathedral, which is subject to a demolition order.
