The following is the text of the Speech given by Dr. Anna Crighton at the Peterborough Centre Press Conference.

Speech for Peterborough Centre announcement by Ceres

Dr Anna Crighton QSO JP PhD
21 December 2012

I wish to acknowledge David McIntyre in absentia
Bernie De Vere, Ceres
Councillor Yani Johannson
and the many heritage advocates showing support here today

The Peterborough Centre is writ large in our urbanscape. It is a high
profile landmark heritage building and its save is of huge significance
to the city and to all those people who hold dear the memories of the
place.

The foundation stone of this, the youngest of the city’s grey stone
Gothic buildings, the former Teachers’ Training College, was laid in
1924. The architect, George Penlington, chose a Collegiate Gothic
style and gave the building this imposing corner entrance with
crenelated towers.

And what an imposing corner façade it is – you can’t miss this
landmark sight as you swing around Montreal Street from Cranmer
Square.

And it is a survivor.

We affect the future by what we do with the past and this heritage
building will be a beacon to Ceres’ commitment to the city’s history,
which in turn will enhance its future. It will exist as a reminder to our
children’s children and so on through future generations of one of the
few stone Gothic edifices to survive the disastrous earthquakes of 2010
and 2011.

Thank you Ceres for your vision.

Thank you Ceres for investing in our city.

Thank you Ceres for gifting a building of heritage significance.

Thank you Ceres for retaining and committing to the strengthening and
restoration of the Peterborough Centre.

Three cheers for a heritage save!!!!!!!!