A new board of directors for the Third Avenue Centre, a local non profit group working to save the Third Avenue United Church building, has submitted a proposal to convert the facility to a performing arts centre.

Artistic Director of the Third Avenue Centre, Mark Turner says they've done some homework and there's definitely room for such a centre in this City and there appears to be lots of support.

Turner says the venue is smaller than TCU Place, but bigger than the Broadway Theatre.

And, he says the U of S has agreed to be an anchor tenant, that is, it plans to use the facility often for its performing arts programs.

Due to the deteriorating financial situation at the Church, the congregation issued a public request for proposals for the building back in July.

They said they would not consider any offers where the property would be demolished, because of the historic and cultural value of the building.

That request for proposals closes tonight (Thurs) and Turner says he thinks his organization is the only response the congregation got.

Turner says the hope is, the Third Avenue Centre would be able to buy the one hundred year old church within a couple of years.