Language school seeks Latimer Square memorial

The Christchurch language school that lost nine staff and 72 students in the collapse of the CTV building want city council permission to erect a memorial in Latimer Square.

The surviving directors of King's Education have written to Mayor Bob Parker asking for his support for a memorial, which would be dedicated to the people they lost.

''We would like to ensure that the 81 King's Education staff and students who lost their lives are remembered. We have chosen Latimer Square due to its close proximity to the CTV site and because it is where we, along many family members, went immediately after the event,'' directors John Ryder and Graeme Dodd said in their letter to Parker.

''We know that having a special place like this to visit in Latimer Square would mean a lot to the associates, colleagues, students, friends and family members of all those who were involved with King's.''

The Christchurch City Council's planning committee will consider how to respond to King's request when its meets next week.

One idea on the table is planting a memorial elm tree on the corner of the Gloucester St end of Latimer Square and erecting a small remembrance plaque underneath it, which King's College would pay for.

That would mean the planned National Earthquake Memorial would retain its primacy as the place to remember those who died in the quake.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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