Part of the former St Patrick's School building, opened in 1917, is already being used as parish offices, but a total overhaul will see the building used as the Dunedin base for Catholic Social Services and as a community centre offering welfare programmes to South Dunedin residents.
The school was originally two mirror-image schools in one, each with two classrooms and a separate entrance for boys and girls. It was designed by architect Harry Mandeno, who also designed or co-designed significant city buildings including the Dunedin Town Hall, King Edward Technical College, Speight's Brewery and the Dunedin Central Fire Station.
Stage two of the project will involve restoration and earthquake strengthening of the 117-year-old basilica, designed by another well-known Dunedin architect, Francis Petre.
St Patrick's Basilica complex committee chairman Sean Toomey said yesterday Historic Places Trust staff had been kept informed of the restoration plans and were supportive, as were parishioners.
"Years ago, the thought was that the best thing that could happen was wait for the church [and other buildings on the site] to fall down and build new ones.
"But that thinking has changed. It is nice to see new life coming back to old buildings."
One building, the former priests' house between the church and the school, will be demolished and a public park created. Parts of the house date back to the 1890s but there have been extensive alterations and additions since.
Stage one of the project was expected to cost $1.8 million, with $800,000 needed for stage two.
All going well, stage one would be completed by the end of this year and stage two next year.
A redevelopment fundraising campaign was officially launched last week but the parish already had enough money in the budget to confirm the redevelopment of the former school building, parish priest Fr Gerard Aynsley said yesterday. Parishioners had contributed $500,000 over the years and the church had received a bequest of $220,000 last year.
"That has given us a really confident start."
Mr Toomey said the parish would not go into debt. "Stop points" had been built into the project timeline to enable work to cease until more money was raised.
Planned work
Stage one: Creation of offices for Catholic Social Services, community centre, meeting rooms and new kitchen in former St Patrick's School building; demolition of presbytery and creation of new public park; upgrade of car park; construction of link between basilica and Mercy Chapel.
Stage two: Construction of new main entrance to basilica; renovation of basilica including earthquake strengthening and new floor; removal of porch facing Macandrew Rd.
