After many years of planning, the essential work of replacing the roof of St Alban’s Kooringal (Wagga Wagga) is now complete.
The original 1958 shingle tile roof was deteriorating and with asbestos present, a full roof replacement was required. Due to the complexity of the project, it was expensive and difficult to find contractors willing to undertake it. The cost of $180,000 was ultimately funded by a NSW Community Building Partnership Grant ($15,000 for church) and one also from a Riverina Water Community Grant ($15,000 for hall), parishioner donations, and the shortfall was made up with a loan from the AIDF.
The project was not without drama. Originally due to be completed in early 2020, the bushfire reconstruction effort in the Snowy Mountains meant that the cranes were not available in Wagga Wagga. And when the decision was made to complete the work in April 2021, high winds put off the first attempt and then a local train derailment just prior to the second attempt made the cranes again unavailable. With winter coming the job had to get underway and the various contractors worked over two very long days of the first weekend in May to ensure not only that the roof came off safely, but that the new one was sufficiently installed as to make the church watertight for rain due on the following day.
Securing a loan from the AIDF and securing various grants required a partnership between the Diocese and our Parish and we are very thankful for Emma Body (Registrar’s Office) and Adam Wright (AIDF) in particular. More than all this, God is building His Church in Wagga Wagga! St Alban’s has experienced renewal in recent years with new ministries begun and a significant number of newcomers joining our congregation. St Alban’s has now been secured for the ongoing witness of mercy ministry and evangelism in Kooringal, Wagga Wagga.
by Reverend Scott Goode
