Cambridge clock in line for major overhaul

Cambridge’s historic town clock is up for ‘open heart surgery’.

Work on the exterior structure of the much-loved clock was already planned with more than $250,000 budgeted by Waipā District Council for the 2023-24 financial year.

But a series of mechanical failures and ongoing external deterioration means a more comprehensive fix is now required to keep the clock, listed as a Category Two Historic Structure, in working order.

Waipā District councillors were told today by property services project manager Greg Boyle the high-profile clock needs “open heart surgery”. Currently the clock needs specialist attention up to twice a month to keep accurate time, ensure the chimes ring and the four faces of the clock are aligned, he said.

“It’s an old clock, dating from 1908 before it was moved to its current location in 1934. Our specialist contractor says we are now beyond quick fixes…this is open heart surgery. Unless we do the job properly and soon, the clock is at risk of failing completely.”

There were significant safety risks to constantly winding and re-setting the clock on site and it was recommended the winding mechanism be automated.

“Every time the clock needs fixing, the winding mechanism has to be accessed via a single, long ladder and tricky work must be done working at height. It’s simply not safe. The strong advice from our specialist is to remove the clock mechanism completely, dismantle, clean and repair the various parts; in other words, do the job once and do it right.”

At the same time as the clock mechanism is being fixed, work to refurbish the clock tower will be undertaken, including specialist re-rendering. No seismic strengthening of the tower is required.

The major fix is likely to see the clock out of action for up to three months with work likely to begin around November. Once fixed, the clock will only require six-monthly cleaning and full servicing every 10-15 years, saving around $24,000 per year in ongoing operating and maintenance costs.

Councillors today agreed to the major refurbishment, with an estimated $450,000 budget. Mayor Susan O’Regan noted the cost was “hard to swallow” but said all Councillors recognised the importance of the clock to Cambridge and the wider district.

“I hesitate to throw around the word ‘iconic’ but that is the case for the Cambridge town clock. It’s a treasured part of the local landscape and a real focal point for the town. So let’s look after it and do the job once, and do it properly,” O’Regan said.