Quote:
Originally Posted by drm310
Third Avenue United Church bid chosen
By Jeremy Warren, The StarPhoenix
August 23, 2013 9:23 AM
The Third Avenue United Church can take down its ‘For Sale’ sign.
On Thursday, United Church officials approved a bid to buy the iconic building in downtown Saskatoon.
The congregation chose a bid from a non-profit group led by John Orr over a bid from the Third Avenue Centre, which for several years has been hoping to establish a permanent arts centre in the church. Both bids promised to use the church for a performing arts centre.
“It was a very, very hard decision,” said Peter Barnacle, chair of the congregation’s board. “We’ve shed some tears over this.”
The sale of the building hinged on commitments from the successful bid to preserve the building and allow the congregation to remain in the church. Both bids were committed to the congregation’s demands, but the group led by Orr came in “significantly higher” and gave the church members more opportunities to flourish after years of financial troubles, Barnacle said. [...]
Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/Third+Avenue+United+Church+chosen/8822918/story.html
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Disappointing news. Third Avenue Centre had the community base to really create something spectacular. But to be fair, we haven't yet heard from John Orr and his non-profit's plans for the building. Perhaps there will be an opportunity for the TAC folks to partner with the new owner?
Maybe our Regina compadres can help shed some light on who this John Orr is? I understand he owns/operates the Orr Centre in Regina - what is that place like? What is its function in the community? I had heard something about him wanting to run a bible college or something of the like in Third Avenue United.
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