For release Apr 28, 2009

Artists Support Ontario Heritage Conference

PETERBOROUGH – The Peterborough Chapter of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario announced today that, in conjunction with its role as co-host of the Ontario Heritage Conference here, it will hold an art raffle. Three original oil paintings will be on display at venues around Peterborough for the next month. Tickets will cost $10.00 each.

Media are invited to join prominent local artists Peer Christensen and Marilyn Goslin along with Mayor Paul Ayotte, at the official unveiling of three original oil paintings on Wednesday April 29th at 1:00 p.m. Also on hand will be representatives of some of the organizations who will be showcasing the city during the conference. The media will gather at Christensen’s Fine Art, 432 George Street, Peterborough. All media outlets are invited.

The city will be welcoming over 200 delegates to a province-wide conference this spring. Peterborough has been chosen to host the Ontario Heritage Conference from May 29th to 31st. The Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (PACAC) and the Peterborough Chapter of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) are the sponsoring organizations.

The economic impact of the conference, with 200 delegates projected, is conservatively expected to be more than $350,000. For more information about the conference, contact:

Erik Hanson, Heritage Preservation Officer, City of Peterborough
(705) 742-7777 ext. 1489, Fax 748-8824, ehanson@peterborough.ca
Visit the conference website at www.heritageconference.ca for more information.

Taking Cities in Stride, Eric A. Morris, New York Times, March 26th, 2009
Check out this article about commonalities of 'walkable cities'. Morris notes that the "most of the pedestrian-friendly cities are products of the era of the foot and the hoof", when all amenities needed to be within walking distance. The turn-of-the-century patterns of development were inherently walkable. Follow the link to WalkScore to find out how walkable YOUR community is.
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/taking-cities-in-stride/ or go to. http://www.walkscore.com/

For release Jan. 13, 2009
Peterborough To Host Ontario Heritage Conference in Late May

1.  PETERBOROUGH – Two local heritage organizations will be welcoming over 200 delegates to a province-wide conference this spring. Peterborough has been chosen to host the Ontario Heritage Conference from May 29th to 31st.  The Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (PACAC) and the Peterborough Chapter of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) are the sponsoring organizations. This year’s theme is “Heritage in Creative Communities”.

Media are invited to join Mayor Paul Ayotte, MPP Jeff Leal, Honourary Conference Chair, Professor Tom Symons, and Honourary Chair of the Media Relations Committee, Wally Macht, at the official announcement for the event at City Hall on Thursday January 15 at 1:00 p.m., to hear details. Also on hand will be representatives of some of the organizations who will be helping to showcase the city to attendees. The media will gather in the Sutherland Room of the Carnegie Wing.  All media outlets are invited.

“With the release of the long-awaited Central Area Master Plan there can be no more timely opportunity for an assessment of Peterborough’s built resources by planners, architects and preservationists from all across Ontario than the Heritage Conference being held right here,” said Edward Smith, President of the Peterborough chapter of ACO.” Sue McGregor-Hunter, Chair of PACAC, saluted the team that has come together to plan the conference, noting “The Ontario Heritage Conference will not only give delegates food for thought about how to rejuvenate and celebrate their cities and towns, it will inspire them and challenge them to take lessons learned here and apply them in their own home towns”.

The economic impact of the conference, with 200 delegates projected, is conservatively expected to be more than $350,000. For more information about the conference, contact:

Erik Hanson, Heritage Preservation Officer, City of Peterborough
(705) 742-7777 ext. 1489, Fax 748-8824, ehanson@peterborough.ca
Visit the conference website at www.heritageconference.ca for more information.

What is the Conference?
This conference brings together delegates from all over Ontario, who belong to three major heritage organizations: Community Heritage Ontario (a volunteer organization that supports Municipal Heritage Committees), the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, and the Ontario Association of Heritage Professionals. Based on past conference numbers, we anticipate that more than 200 delegates will enjoy the many experiences that Peterborough has to offer. This year’s theme is “Heritage in Creative Communities”.

Confirmed speakers and panelists include James Howard Kunstler, noted futurist and commentator on the urban experience, Avi Friedman, architecture professor and researcher in affordable and sustainable building practices at McGill University, Clive Doucet, author and Ottawa city councillor, and Adam Vaughan, Toronto city councillor.  Biographical information about some of the speakers is attached.

Why does heritage matter?
Historic places and heritage buildings are fundamental to our sense of history, community and identity. Communities across Canada have been capitalizing on their distinctive heritage assets by revitalizing their historic business cores and reclaiming them as the commercial and social hubs of the community. Besides economic value, heritage resources have intrinsic value in the information they contain about the past. Buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites can give us a unique insight into our past – knowledge that sometimes cannot be obtained any other way.  Our heritage helps us make sense of our rapidly changing world and guides us into the future.  Well-maintained historic buildings, streetscapes and landscapes contribute to safe and comfortable neighbourhoods and foster local identity and pride.

What is special about Peterborough?
Peterborough’s downtown contains an excellent sample of 19th century and early 20th century commercial buildings. The greenest building is the one that already exists.  Old buildings embody energy and materials.  Reusing older buildings saves the destruction of trees, saves the energy used to transport them to mills and create new construction materials, and saves more green space from development.  Heritage conservation saves demolition, land development and construction time costs.  It helps retain or create high-skilled jobs.  It develops the market value of existing buildings and neighbourhoods while contributing to economic development such as cultural tourism.  Heritage conservation contributes to developing a culture of repair and reuse.  Rehabilitating heritage streetscapes and buildings – sometimes starting with the restoration of a single community landmark – can generate a whole range of economic benefits.

What is heritage tourism and why do tourists care about a place like Peterborough?
Original heritage buildings and sites, historic architecture, natural and cultural landscapes.  Surprisingly to some, Canada’s built heritage is a significant motivation for international visitors to travel to Canada.  Of long-haul travellers interested in travelling to Canada, 74 per cent want to visit historical buildings and sites, and 85 per cent want to visit interesting small towns and villages (France Strategic Segmentation Study Final Report, August 1999).  Heritage tourism is a major market.

Tell me more about the conference?
A broadly-based volunteer local planning committee representing four heritage organizations (see list attached) has been meeting regularly since May to ensure this conference will be a success. More than 200 delegates and friends are expected.

The conference will be held both at mid-century modern Trent University and throughout the downtown as a means of showcasing our magnificent built heritage and excellent municipal cultural infrastructure. The 2009 Ontario Heritage Conference aims to involve the entire arts, culture and heritage community in the event, including museums, galleries, theatre groups, academic institutions such as Trent University and Fleming College, and related partners such as the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada. Participants will have a chance to sample the many chic and tasty bistro delights of downtown, take special tours such as the popular Trent Valley Archives pub crawl or the Lift Lock Boat Cruise, or just amble along the water in Millennium Park.    

The annual business meetings of the two conference organizations will be held on Sunday morning in the historic main courtroom of the Peterborough County Courthouse.
The Peterborough County Courthouse building holds a commanding position overlooking Victoria Park. Built of cut stone in 1838 with a central portico, it is considered one of the finest examples of courthouse architecture in Ontario. It continues to house the Courthouse, County Council Chambers and administrative offices, and until recently, the County Jail.

Website links:           
http://www.communityheritageontario.ca/
http://www.arconserv.ca/
http://www.caphc.ca/
http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/