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PROVO — Construction crews working on the new temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo are making significant, very visible progress.
The groundbreaking for the Provo City Center Temple, on University Avenue between Center Street and 100 South, took place a year and a half ago. KSL last checked in on construction in April. At that time, the shell of the burned out Provo Tabernacle was held up only by steel supports.
Now a concrete foundation and a basement are in place to support the historic landmark.
"It has brightened up this whole area," said resident Janet Campbell. "It's raised it to a higher level. Everybody is trying to match up with the temple because it makes it a nice, beautiful area."
People stop to look at the progress and watch the construction each day.
The supports for the roof are now in place, including a platform where the center steeple will stand. It's reminiscent of the original design of the Provo Tabernacle and puts a smile on the faces of people who felt so much was lost the day the tabernacle burned in December 2010.
"If you look through the windows there are some burned walls," said onlooker Heidi Campbell. "But it is going to transition into a most beautiful temple and the most beautiful building in Provo city."
Those fire-scarred bricks are quickly disappearing as crews fill the interior of the now reinforced shell.
It's just a huge thing to see something this wonderful happening here in Provo.
–Reid Nielson
"I worked in this neighborhood all my life," said Reid Nielson, "and always enjoyed this part of Provo. But now it is so much better than it has ever been."
Nielson is now retired but said he stops by often to see what is new with the construction. He is excited for when the temple is finished.
"I hope everyone in the valley is as happy as I am to see this happening," he said. "It's really a great thing to have in Provo."
Church officials have said they expect the temple to be completed sometime in 2015.
