Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel to stay open through Summer 2019

The Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel is staying open a little longer than expected before closing for up to four years for restoration.

It was originally scheduled to close for renovations starting January 1st, but will now remain open until June 17, 2019.

This gives cadets and public a chance to enjoy the chapel until the summer.

The Air Force says the reasoning for the change is because the evaluation of contract proposals is taking longer than expected. They go on to say the will provide updates once the contract evaluation process is complete.

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The landmark Cadet Chapel at the Air Force Academy will close Jan. 1 for a major restoration project that could take up to four years.

The project was originally expected to start last summer, but the academy said Monday it was pushed back while the school found a contractor with experience in renovating historic buildings.

The restoration includes replacing the chapel’s aluminum skin, removing and cleaning 24,000 stained-glass tiles, stiffening the steel superstructure and adding a water barrier.

The academy says the chapel has leaked since it was built and previous repairs failed.

The school said last year the restoration was expected to cost between $58 million and $68 million.

The chapel, a National Historic Landmark, is a striking, triangular-shaped structure that stands 150 feet tall.