Historic market site

Press, 2 October 1987, Page 8

Historic market site

The buildings of the Arts Centre where the market is held.' date back to the early history of Canterbury. Setting up a cultural and educational centre has proved to be the ideal use for the former university buildings. Their origins date back to last century when the founders of the province set out to establish a university town based on Orford, England. It was to be the educational and intellectual

heart of New Zealand and Australasia It was not until 1873 that Canterbury College as it was called, was founded. • Four years later, the first building, the Clock Tower was finished. Other , ’ buildings were added until 1929 when construction was completed. Over the next decades teaching diversified and it i was obvious that the lack ' of space was the biggest obstacle facing the muchneeded expansion.

By the 1950 s plans were under way to move the university department by department to its present site at Ham. Considerable uncertainty surrounded the ageing buildings in the central city. In 1978 it was agreed that the present uses were the perfect solution. Now Christchurch has a. unique complex where local arts and crafts can flourish. It is virtually self-sufficient. V V