Like threading a needle, workmen carried out one of the most challenging jobs in the contract to strengthen the Royal Wanganui Opera House yesterday.
The historic building is the first of the city's public buildings to be brought up to earthquake strength and one of the keystones of the upgrade involved getting three 1.5-tonne steel beams into the Opera House.
The beams will create a new frame around the arch above the Opera House stage and will become a cornerstone for much of the earthquake strengthening.
Rick Grobecker, Wanganui District Council engineer and project manager, said the delicate work done yesterday was a "mini milestone".
The job involved cutting two holes in the Opera House roof, before two 14m upright beams were lowered inside using two cranes.