Central Alberta Theatre is looking at purchasing the old Uptown Theatre downtown.

According to a release, the membership of CAT has given the go ahead for their board to acquire the old Uptown Cinema Centre which has been vacant for several years.

William Trefry, executive director, said the theatre company is in negotiations to acquire the building.

He said the facility “Fits in nicely with our long term vision and goals for Central Alberta Theatre.”

He said the purchase would also be a good compliment to CAT’s current venue and home at CAT Studios attached to the Red Deer Memorial Centre. That’s where CAT has been housed since 1994 after wrapping up a major addition to the building in 2001.

Meanwhile, negotiations are moving forward with an official announcement at CATena, a preview of CAT’s upcoming season slated for the evening of Sept. 8 at the Memorial Centre.

There will be readings from all this season’s productions, entertainment and some other announcements for start-up of CAT’s 41st season. Things get underway at 7 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.

Trefry said the board hopes to have negotiations completed later this month and renovations starting this fall as well.

If all goes according to plan, the new ‘multi-use’ venue would be available for booking in the first half of 2011.

-Weber