Cherished Saskatoon church back on the real estate market

Saskatoon's Third Avenue United Church, a cherished building in the city that needs substantial repairs, is back up for sale after a proposalto acquire the property was formally rejected.

Anon-profit group,the Third Avenue Centre, was offering to acquire thebuilding for $1.86 millionandundertake a number of renovations to preserve the space as a concert venue.

However, thatoffer wasturned downby officials overseeing the church who havealsosaid the building should now be put on the open market,to be soldby the end of the2013.

A note about the decision, which was provided to media outlets, said the move toreject the non-profit'sproposal was made "after a long and heart-searching discussion" by church officials.