A price-tag has been placed on the restoration of the 174-year-old Assumption Church.
Some parishioners might argue the restoration of the historic building is priceless, but the latest report from lawyer Paul Mullins named that price, it's $20-million.
Mullin spent Sunday presenting the report and tells AM800 News most parishioners see the restoration of the church as a priority over replacing it.
"Bishop Ronald Fabbro is very keenly interested and wishes to have the Assumption Church restored," says Mullins, who added Bishop Fabbro committed another $1-million from the Diocese of London.
Mullin tells AM800 News $9-million has already been raised towards the lofty goal with the help of a conditional $5-million donation from local philanthropist Al Quesnel — that condition is the money must be matched.
Parishioners had expressed interest in adding a hall with money raised, but Mullin says the focus has to stay on re-opening the doors of the existing structure.
"If it turns out that the costs are not as bad as we feared they might be, then there would be an opportunity to do some of the other features that would be really important for the long term," Mullins says.
He says many potential donors have expressed the need for conditions to ensure public use of the church is maintained and the diocese is open to that, "provided any such use is consistent with the nature of the church and the Catholic tradition."
Mullins hopes to hit $10-million before the end of 2018 to secure the donation from Quesnel — work could begin on the restoration if the campaign hits $15-million.