Menin Gate Restoration Status?

[Buffnut453]

Do any GWF members have the scoop (inside or otherwise) on the status of the Menin Gate restoration?  The CWGC put out some pretty regular updates and useful info early in the project but it’s all gone very quiet of late, with nothing new on their website in over 6 months.

The restoration is supposed to be completed next summer.  Does anyone know how likely that is?  I have to say that the lack of news makes me wonder if things aren’t going to plan (although the first year of the work seemed to go pretty smoothly)?

Am I being a nattering nabob of negativism?

[Terry_Reeves]

Try contacting the CWG direct.

TR

[Buffnut453]

The question has been asked.  I'll definitely report back if I get anything substantive....but that could take up to a month.  

If any forum members have an update, it would still be very welcome.  

[Loopgraaf]

I heard, few days ago in Ieper, that in mid 2025 is the restoration complete. 

[Buffnut453]

When the project was started in 2023, they estimated a completion in the summer of 2025.  It would be nice if the CWGC had a more refined schedule now that, theoretically, it should be 75% complete by now.

[Terry_Reeves]

Please stop knocking the CWGC,  they do not exist for producing answers on demand in an instant.

TR

[Buffnut453]

I wasn’t knocking the CWGC.  I was simply observing their stated answer time.

I’m also not looking for an answer on demand.  I just think it’s odd that they put so much effort into communication at the start of the restoration project but that the updates have tailed off completely since May.

[Terry_Reeves]

1 minute ago, Buffnut453 said:

I wasn’t knocking the CWGC.  I was simply observing their stated answer time.

I’m also not looking for an answer on demand.  I just think it’s odd that they put so much effort into communication at the start of the restoration project but that the updates have tailed off completely since May.

[Terry_Reeves]

20 minutes ago, Terry_Reeves said:

24 minutes ago, Buffnut453 said:

I wasn’t knocking the CWGC.  I was simply observing their stated answer time.

I’m also not looking for an answer on demand.  I just think it’s odd that they put so much effort into communication at the start of the restoration project but that the updates have tailed off completely since May.

Perhaps they have more pressing  problems. Please do not forget they are not  large commercial organisation.

TR

[MartH]

I was over there for the 11th and spoke to a town official who knew. It’s due to finish May next year, but I gather the structure needed more work than planned due to the material used, for example paint with asbestos. 

[Buffnut453]

12 minutes ago, MartH said:

I was over there for the 11th and spoke to a town official who knew. It’s due to finish May next year, but I gather the structure needed more work than planned due to the material used, for example paint with asbestos. 

Many thanks MartH.  That gives me a great frame of reference.  Not surprised they found additional things that need to be resolved (like asbestos in paint), hence some fluidity in completion dates.

[Poppy Mercier]

Yes, last I heard having spoken to a few folk at the Commission/in Ypres, May was the projected completion date. If it’s anything like Thiepval - lots of extra things will have cropped up they didn’t plan for. Always happens with these old places! 

[Buffnut453]

Thanks Poppy.  I visited Thiepval a few years ago and discovered it entirely hidden by scaffolding and coverings.  I'm hoping to avoid a similar experience for my next visit to Ypres...particularly since I hope to bring family over from the States.  

[Poppy Mercier]

Yes I was working there for the tail end of the restoration work - it made for some interesting interactions at work when we couldn’t get up there 😅 and a lot of complaints too, but the work needed doing.

[Buffnut453]

No complaints about work needing to be done.  I'm disappointed that you got complaints...it's not like you decided to put up scaffolding on a whim.

I did get a response from the CWGC today which simply reiterated a planned completion in the summer of 2025.  I guess I'll just have to postpone any visit until September and hope that all the work will be completed by then.