Temple Construction Progress Update

In view of some excellent feedback I received late tonight, I have completely reworked the section of my temple construction report that covers announced temples. I am happy to share those updates with you all right now. If you can, let me know what you think. If I have not yet fixed the issues that have prevented comments from being posted, I need to know that as well. You can find my contact information through my blogger profile. Thanks, and enjoy!

Temple Construction Progress Update (current as of 6/16/17)

NOTE: There will be a total of 182 operating temples once all of those announced, under construction, or undergoing renovation. Of those, we currently have 156 temples in operation; 1 has an open house ongoing (with a dedication set for August); 2 more have construction concluding and a dedication scheduled for later this year; 9 are under construction right now; 1 other has construction pending (groundbreaking was last year), and will commence construction ASAP; 2 others are undergoing renovation; another 4 have a renovation closure date set, with 2 others set to close early next year (the actual dates will be set closer to the time); the remaining 13 are announced (with either a site announcement or groundbreaking pending).

NOTE: I learned over the weekend of May 12-15 that there is a possibility we could see more groundbreakings later this year. I will be keeping my eyes open for any temple-related news and will post those as I hear of them. For now, this is a correction from what I had previously reported.

Construction completed; open house tours underway:

157. Tucson Arizona Temple: Public open house tours underway (will run until June 24, Sundays excluded); dedication scheduled for Sunday August 13, 2017.

Construction nearing completion; dedication scheduled:

158. Meridian Idaho Temple: Interior finish work underway; laying sod and planting trees in parking area; dedication scheduled for Sunday November 19, 2017.

159. Cedar City Utah Temple: Exterior lighting tests underway; dedication scheduled for Sunday December 10, 2017.

                                                      

Under Construction (completion anticipated next year):

160. Rome Italy Temple: Interior and exterior work progressing; installing art glass windows; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

161. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple: Attaching insulating block and laying brick over south and west walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

162.  Barranquilla Colombia Temple: Stone cladding underway on north and east walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

NOTE: For the three temples above, they seem to be interchangeable in terms of which one might potentially be completed and dedicated first. I am trying to keep an eye on any and all developments and will adjust these estimates as necessary once more is known.

163. Concepcion Chile Temple: Scaffolding removed from north wall; cladding progressing on west and south walls; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

164. Durban South Africa Temple: Preparing to pour upper façade walls of temple; scaffolding going up around upper level of missionary housing; completion anticipated sometime during late 2018.

NOTE: I originally was thinking and had stated that the Concepcion and Durban temples might be interchangeable in terms of when they might be completed and subsequently dedicated. But in rechecking the LDS Church Temples site during the later hours of June 14, it had changed the estimate for Durban to sometime late next year, instead of during the middle or latter part of that same year, as previously thought. It shouldn’t affect my estimate for the time-frame of this completion, as I had predicted that this event would take place in December. But I am doing my best to analyze all of these developments and will provide updated information as I receive it.

Under construction, completion anticipated within the next 2-3 years:            

165. Fortaleza Brazil Temple: Tower base walls poured; scaffolding removed; completion anticipated sometime during early 2019.

166. Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple: Preparing to pour footings for foundation; surrounding property being cleared and graded; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: As I have previously observed, this temple and the temple in Winnipeg appeared to be interchangeable until just recently. With no progress having been reported on Canada’s newest temple, unless things change drastically, this Rio temple will no doubt be completed first. More to come once more is known.

168.  Lisbon Portugal Temple: Pouring temple foundation walls; meetinghouse exterior walls nearly finished; completion anticipated sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

169. Arequipa Peru Temple: Footings poured; setting concrete forms for foundation walls; completion anticipated sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

Construction pending (anticipated to start anytime):

167. Winnipeg Manitoba Temple: Groundbreaking held Saturday December 3, 2016; awaiting full-scale operations; acquiring building permits; completion anticipated sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: As full-scale construction commencement is still pending on this temple, all that we know at the moment is that construction will take roughly 20 months (1.67 years) once it commences in full, and that this temple is being built to serve just the one stake in Winnipeg for the moment. Until construction starts in earnest, the completion date is hard to pin down. That full-scale construction may have already started, but that is difficult to ascertain. With the information known right now, mid-2019 is a very rough estimate for this temple’s completion. It would not surprise me in the least if this temple is not dedicated until 2020. Adjustments will be made once more is known. For now, this is an update from what I had previously reported.

           

Undergoing Renovation (rededication anticipated within the next year or so):

20. Jordan River Utah Temple: Closed for renovation; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

NOTE: On June 14, the LDS Church Temples site changed the completion estimation for this renovation to mid-2018. Since we know that temples in the US, particularly renovations, are usually finished more quickly than their international counterparts or new temples, it is unclear for the moment which temple-related event is most likely to happen first. I am doing my best to analyze these developments and will pass along any updates as soon as I can.

41. Frankfurt Germany Temple: Closed for renovation; excavating for basement addition for new baptistry; rededication anticipated sometime during mid-2018.

NOTE: On June 14, the LDS Church Temples site changed the completion estimation for this renovation to mid-2018. Since we know that renovations are generally completed more quickly than new temples, whether within the US or elsewhere, it is hard at the moment to try and figure out what the actual sequence of events may be for next year. I am analyzing these developments as quickly as possible and will be sure to post with any updates ASAP.

Renovations Scheduled (official closure dates announced):

112. Asuncion Paraguay Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: As I was recently reminded, a completion estimate for renovations is hard to pin down and may change daily. So until this renovation is underway in 3.5 months, it is anyone’s guess when it might actually be finished. We do know that the closure for this temple comes just over a month before it was anticipated to take place. As previously noted as well, this temple is at the top of the list of planned renovations only because it comes first alphabetically. Based on the knowledge that US temples are renovated much more quickly than their counterparts in other parts of the world, I still feel confident that this temple’s rededication will not take place until after that of the Oakland Temple, which is set for closure sometime in February next year.

80. Memphis Tennessee Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during early 2019.

NOTE: As mentioned above, until this renovation gets underway in 3.5 months, a completion time-frame will be hard to pin down. Since we do know that US renovations are usually completed well in advance of their international counterparts, there is no doubt in my mind that this rededication will take place during the spring of 2019. That assertion may change once the renovation process starts, but for now, it seems to be a safe prediction to make.

18. Tokyo Japan Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on September 29, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2020.

NOTE: Despite the fact that this temple is the last alphabetically that will close on the second-to-last day in September, because Tokyo time is ahead of both Asuncion and US time, this temple may be the first to close for renovation. Also, I have noted before that a rededication for this temple, which is set to happen sometime during 2020, will likely not happen until after that of the Washington DC Temple, which is set to close in 8 months.

95. Oklahoma City Oklahoma Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation on October 14, 2017; rededication may take place sometime during mid-2019.

NOTE: This temple, the last of those set to close for renovation later this year, is nonetheless a US temple, so it seems safe to assume and to assert that this rededication will happen sometime after that of the Memphis Tennessee Temple, but sometime prior to the rededications of the Oakland California and Asuncion Paraguay Temples. Obviously, that may change once the renovation process commences, but for now, it seems to be a safe assertion.

                                                                                            

Temples that have a renovation closure announced, but no official date made known yet:

13. Oakland California Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in February 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: With this closure set to take place next year, until it is underway, it is difficult to pin down even a general time-frame for its completion. But it seems more than likely that the rededication for this temple will transpire well before that of the Asuncion Paraguay temple simply by virtue of it being a temple within the US. Adjustments will be made once more is known.

16. Washington D. C. Temple: Scheduled to close for renovation in March 2018; rededication may take place sometime during mid-2020.

NOTE: As already noted in relation to the other renovations, until this temple begins the renovation process, a probable completion timeframe is very difficult to pin down. But given that US temple renovations are almost always completed prior to their international counterparts, it is not impossible to believe that the rededication for this temple will likely precede that of the Tokyo Japan Temple.

NOTE: While I learned during mid-May that we could have as many as four groundbreakings before the end of this year, very few developments have taken place relating to the announced temples below. And while I always prefer to think and speak optimistically, any thoughts of mine on when these events might happen are always subject to what the Lord and the Brethren feel is best, to say nothing of local attitudes and politics that may also come into play. So while I offer my best guess estimate for such events, they should not be taken as fact unless and until they are verified by subsequent announcements. I hope that is abundantly and clearly understood in the way I have reworded things.

Announced:

170. Harare Zimbabwe Temple: Approval and construction preparation phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2017.

NOTE: Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, who presides over the Africa Southeast Area, indicated last year that Zimbabwe’s first temple would likely have a site announcement sometime during 2017, with the groundbreaking possibly taking place shortly thereafter. However, nothing has changed since that time. While there is always a chance things could move quickly, as they have for so many other temples, until more is known, I want to be as conservative as possible. So I am adjusting my previous estimate, and will say that we might see a groundbreaking in either late August or early September. I will keep an eye out for any developments and provide updates as I am able to do so.

171. Port-au-Prince Haiti Temple: Planning and approval phase; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2017.

NOTE: With Elder Andersen having confirmed the site purchase for this temple, it is very likely that a groundbreaking could happen before the end of this year. Wanting to be as conservative as possible in my estimates, I will adjust my previous prediction and say that a groundbreaking could happen sometime during either September or October. Once more is known, I will try to provide a better estimate.

172. Urdaneta Philippines Temple: Planning and approval phase; awaiting government approval and official site announcement; groundbreaking could happen sometime during mid-to-late 2017.

NOTE: With the elimination of the delays that hindered the progress of this temple for so long, there is an equally likely chance that we could see a groundbreaking happen for this temple either late this year or early next year. Until more is known, I will venture a guess that a groundbreaking might happen sometime between mid-November and December. I will update these estimates as I become aware of developments.

173. Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple: Planning and preliminary construction phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking could take place sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

NOTE: I learned in the late hours of June 16 that the contractor for the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple indicated that the preconstruction process for this temple began in March 2017. While there has not been any signs that this preconstruction is ongoing, if the contractor is correct, then that would mean construction might not begin until 2018 at earliest. Until more is known, that is an update from what I had previously reported.

174. Pocatello Idaho: Planning phase; awaiting site confirmation; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2018.

NOTE: Elder Larry Y. Wilson, who serves as the Executive Director of the Temple Department, has indicated this Idahoan temple will be larger, somewhat akin to the size of the Meridian Idaho Temple. Because this temple is being built within the “Mormon corridor”, I have felt that the groundbreaking for this temple might take place sometime next year. If no substantial progress is made in the next little while, I will be bumping this temple again.

175. Saratoga Springs Utah: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-2018.

NOTE: This temple, which is being built within the “Mormon corridor”, has yet to have a site confirmed. All we know at the moment is that the Church owns several acres of land within that community. But it is not impossible to believe that a site could be confirmed within the next little while and a groundbreaking could follow shortly thereafter. Until more is known, this seems to be a safe adjustment.

176. Brasilia Brazil Temple: Planning phase; site confirmed; groundbreaking may take place sometime during mid-to-late 2018.

NOTE: Unless plans change, the site that local leaders identified for this temple (on an arm of Paranoa Lake) has been confirmed locally, which may be all that is needed. As site confirmations usually precede groundbreakings by about a year, a groundbreaking could happen at around the time indicated above. There is an equally likely chance that this temple will not have a groundbreaking until 2019 or later. Until more is known, that’s an update from what I had previously stated.

177. Greater Manila Philippines Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official name announcement; groundbreaking may take place during late 2018-early 2019.

NOTE: A site has been somewhat confirmed for this temple (the Facebook page for the Philippines Area of the Church says it will be built in the region of Alabang, Muntinlupa City). Until more is known, and until we know if and when a more official name might be announced, it seems wise to revise my estimate for this temple’s groundbreaking. As with everything else, I am keeping an eye out for any developments and will provide updates as I am able to.

178. Bangkok Thailand Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: While there has been some speculation that an existing Church office building could be rebuilt and renovated into a multipurpose edifice that will house Church offices, a meetinghouse, and the temple, unless and until that is confirmed, it is difficult to determine when future progress might happen on this temple. While I would hope we will not have to wait another two years for progress on this temple, until more is known, this seems to be a better estimate.

179. Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during early-to-mid 2019.

NOTE: If a site is confirmed at any point within the next year or so for this temple, a groundbreaking could happen sooner. Since the Church has really taken off in the Ivory Coast, it seems hard to believe that there would be a four-year wait between the announcement and the groundbreaking. Until more is known, this seems to be a safer estimate.

180. Quito Ecuador Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-2019.

NOTE: Ecuador’s first temple had a 14-year waiting period between its announcement and its groundbreaking. While I would hope that a delay that long will not happen for this temple, it has not progressed beyond being announced. Wanting to be as conservative as possible in my thinking, I still think it is safe to assume that we could see this groundbreaking happen at around this time. I will keep an eye out for any developments and will be sure to pass that along.

181. Belem Brazil Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place during mid-to-late 2019.

NOTE: Unless something changes drastically, the temple announced for Brazil’s capital city will likely have a groundbreaking well before this temple, which was announced a year earlier. Until more is known, this seems to be a safer prediction.

182. Nairobi Kenya Temple: Planning phase; awaiting official site announcement; groundbreaking may take place sometime during late 2019-early 2020.

NOTE: Until more is known about Kenya’s first temple, a groundbreaking may be harder to predict than I thought. It seems safe to assert that this temple will be the last of the current bunch to have such a groundbreaking. Unless developments happen sooner than expected for this temple, that is an update from what I have previously stated.

                                                                                                          

ADDITIONAL GENERAL NOTE: Temple announcements within the last three years have come during the April General Conference. They may happen at any time the First Presidency feels inspired to make them, but that has been the pattern. I also know that sites have been purchased for future temples in Managua Nicaragua, Auckland New Zealand, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea, Bentonville Arkansas, and Missoula Montana, and I have been told by many that an official announcement will happen once unit growth and activity in temples within such areas warrants those announcements. If other potential temples have had a site purchased, they have yet to be identified as such. There have also been many temples proposed elsewhere by several apostles. Time will tell just how likely any of those sites might be. Until more is known about temples worldwide, that is the latest information I have.

                                                                                                           

Key:

Bolded numbers and text denote temples whose numbers already exists (for renovations), or is certain due to a scheduled dedication, as well as information that is certain, such as dedication or groundbreaking dates.

Italicized numbers and text denote temples whose numbers may change based on the order in which future dedications and groundbreakings are scheduled.

Underlined numbers and text denote temples whose numbers may change based on progress towards planning, approval, and groundbreaking.

Red text highlights changes from the last posted temple progress report.