The restoration project at the Notre-Dame Basilica has been ongoing for years, and the costs have more than doubled. The original price estimate was approximately $40 million, but now sits at $100 million for both exterior and interior renovations. “When you make predictions, the building has a certain condition. The more you wait, the more there’s deterioration,” Mathieu Verreault, tourism, activities and operations manager at the Notre-Dame Basilica, said. “We’re at the point where what we expected ten years ago is worse.” Verreault said several issues have led to an increase in price. Inflation is a contributor, along with unforeseen construction work. “We need to change way more stones than we expected and it’s hard to find masons to do the work,” Verreault said. There is progress being made. Verreault said work on the west tower and front façade are complete and the east tower should be renovated by September. The sides of the church and back portion still need to be complete and that could take another six years. “When you go outdoor, you look at the top of the towers, it’s white. Every white stone is a new one, so you’ll notice that the top parts of both towers are totally new,” Verreault said. There is a lot of work to do inside the basilica as well. A team is currently working on restoring peeling paint. “There was not that much peeling just five years ago so every time we wait, it’s going to cost more,” Verreault said. The Basilica is fundraising to help with the increased costs because Verreault says the parish is paying for renovations and it received $1 million from Quebec at the beginning of the project. Verreault says the restoration will have to carry on even if funds are lacking. “[The work] wouldn’t stop, it would slow down. We don’t have a choice. If we don’t do it, we’ll have serious issues in the future,” he said. The entire renovation project could last decades and take as long as 30 years to complete.
