Tabernacle now facing a retrofit

Plans for a seismic retrofit of the historic Tabernacle on Temple Square were formally announced during a press conference Friday as Latter-day Saints prepared for the church's 174th Semiannual General Conference.

General Conference begins at 10 a.m. today in the Conference Center.

President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told reporters Friday that "buildings, like men, get old. They don't last forever unless you look after them." He described his love and respect for the Tabernacle, as well as the Salt Lake Temple, "two venerable old parents: the temple, the father, and the Tabernacle, the mother."

He said he wants the history of the building — begun in 1863 by pioneer craftsmen using wooden pegs and rawhide to hold its wooden lattice framework together — preserved.

"I don't want a modern, 2004-2005 building. I want the old original Tabernacle" to look as it does today, he said, cautioning the builders that once their plans are completed, he will look over them "to see that nothing is destroyed that shouldn't be destroyed."

"I respect this building. I love this building. I honor this building. I don't want anything done here that will destroy the historical aspect of this rare gem of architecture," President Hinckley said.

While there were few concrete details of how the construction will actually proceed, church Presiding Bishop H. David Burton said the project is slated to begin in January, and, barring unforeseen delays, will be completed in mid-2006. Many details have yet to be finalized by FFKR Architects and Jacobsen Construction, in part because of the unique character of the building.

Rumors had circled locally in early September about the project, and news stories appeared in both Salt Lake City newspapers in mid-September detailing what had become public knowledge, much of it from information posted on the Jacobsen Construction Co. Web site.

Bishop Burton said dressing rooms, restrooms and a library will be added to support the 350-voice Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The group is celebrating its 75th anniversary of continuous weekly radio broadcasting from the Tabernacle each Sunday, and once the project is complete, the Tabernacle will remain home to both the choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square. Meanwhile, the performing groups will be housed in the Conference Center.

No decision has been made on whether to reconfigure the Tabernacle's seating, he said. Though the wooden benches were adequate for pioneer Latter-day Saints of smaller stature, today's audiences frequently comment on the lack of leg room. The Tabernacle seats about 4,500, he said, noting possible changes could eliminate as many as 1,000 seats.