Influential conservative Charlie Kirk, a new member of the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, called for accelerating the restoration of the chapel during a meeting Aug. 7 because the work is expected to stretch into 2028.

The renovation that started at the end of 2019 is aimed at fixing the chronic leaking that has plagued the building since the 1960s. New aluminum panels are planned to prevent leaking and eliminate the need for storm windows that were installed as a stop-gap measure after the building was completed.

Kirk raised his concern about the chapel after meeting with cadets and hearing how some are disappointed they will have attended the school for four years without ever having the opportunity to go into the building. He asked the academy’s administration to provide the board with a list of the what is needed to get the work done more quickly so they can advocate on behalf of the project.

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“I think nine years is outrageous,” said Kirk, who is the founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative organization.

Kirk said he would love to finish the project ahead of the current timeline to surprise some cadets.

The chapel, modeled after the European cathedrals such as Chartres and Notre Dame, has been underneath a large white box during construction in recent years to protect it. The box allowed crews to remove the skin of the building as part of the remodel.

Restoring the chapel for Interstate 25 travelers to enjoy is also important, Kirk said.

“It’s an unbelievable beacon of hope and of unity,” he said.

Gen. Tony Bauernfeind said the project could move faster with additional focus and resources.

“We would love to swarm this and accelerate this,” he said.

The restoration of the building was expected to cost $250 million, The Gazette reported last year. The chapel was originally built for $3.54 million. The price tag was driven by the complexity of the building.

The next major construction project for the academy is likely to be Sijan Hall, based on a presentation by Col. Ahave Brown, the new commander of the 10th Air Base Wing.

Sijan Hall, built in 1968, is expected to need a major remodel to upgrade its heating, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems, the Gazette reported last year. It also needs work to renovate window walls, bathrooms, cadet rooms and workspaces. It’s a six-story building with 625,000 square feet housing 891 dorm rooms.