Third Avenue Centre is thrilled to announce that Third Avenue United Church will be the first Canadian building digitally archived in the CyArk world heritage database. This is made possible by a partnership between Stantec, Tourism Saskatoon, CyArk and Third Avenue Centre.

Third Avenue United Church will be among 100 major world historical landmarks already archived by CyArk, an international non-profit organization dedicated to digitally preserving the world’s cultural heritage sites, the most recent addition being the Sydney Opera House. Other CyArk preserved sites include Pompeii, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the RMS Titanic, and Mount Rushmore. CyArk projects the Saskatoon building will receive 100,000 web hits per year from cultural heritage fans around the world.

The digital preservation is achieved through specialized laser scanning of the building, donated and performed by Stantec using state of the art equipment.

“It has been a great opportunity being involved with Third Avenue Centre on this project to help ensure this landmark in Saskatoon has a new future,” said Trevor Pasika, 3D Laser Scan Project Manager for Stantec.  “We were able to utilize our expertise with 3D laser scanning to help educate and promote the importance of historical preservation and sustainable development. It has created an opportunity to work with others, not only at Stantec, but within the community, that are just as passionate about the significance of our heritage.”

The inclusion of the Third Avenue United Church building in CyArk’s online archive is an incredible way to showcase the best of Saskatoon architecture and culture to the international community. In addition, it provides an exact 3D digital record to preserve the building for years to come.

“This is why we support the concept of Third Avenue being owned and operated by a Saskatoon-based not-for-profit organization, namely Third Avenue Centre,” said Todd Brandt, President and CEO of Tourism Saskatoon. “It is vitally important that we secure the future of this building as a landmark performance hall in Saskatoon and as a significant tourist attraction in our community and province.”

Third Avenue Centre is a grassroots non-profit organization working to protect the future of the church building, supporting its adaptive re-use as a premier concert hall in downtown Saskatoon. The group is one of two bidders competing for control of the building in an RFP selection process that will be decided in early January.

“We are honoured by the support we have received from Stantec and Tourism Saskatoon,” said Dave Denny, Chair of Third Avenue Centre. “We hope to convince the congregation that we are the best bidder in the RFP, and support like this really helps strengthen our case.”

CyArk has been featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine and boasts partnerships with prestigious institutions such as the World Monuments Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, U.S. National Park Service, U.S. National Science Foundation, and Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. CyArk is also partnered with educational institutions including Columbia University, Stanford University and the University of Florence, as well as media properties Google, PBS, and Wired magazine.

Video of Third Avenue United Church in 3D can be viewed at friendsof3au.blogspot.com.

Third Avenue Centre is please to present The Galileo Project: Music of the Spheres with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra on Wednesday, November 28. For more upcoming events, please go to thirdavecentre.blogspot.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Dave Denny
Board Chair
Third Avenue Centre
Direct: 306.222.2066
Email: dave.denny@pelicanproperties.ca

Trevor Pasika
3DLS Project Manager
Stantec
Direct: 780.969.2282
Email: trevor.pasika@stantec.com

Todd Brandt
President and CEO
Tourism Saskatoon
Direct: 306.931.7574
Email: tbrandt@tourismsaskatoon.com

About Third Avenue Centre
Third Avenue Centre (TAC) is a Saskatoon grassroots non-profit organization working to protect the future of the Third Avenue United Church building and to support its adaptive re-use as a premier downtown concert hall. Third Avenue United Church is a treasured landmark in Saskatoon, and TAC is dedicated to strengthening cultural connections in Saskatoon with inspiring, creative opportunities and events. For more information, visit www.friendsof3au.blogspot.com.

About Stantec
Stantec, founded in 1954, provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics for infrastructure and facilities projects. Continually striving to balance economic, environmental, and social responsibilities, we are recognized as a world-class leader and innovator in the delivery of sustainable solutions. We support public and private sector clients in a diverse range of markets, at every stage, from initial concept and financial feasibility to project completion and beyond.

About Tourism Saskatoon
Tourism Saskatoon is a membership-based, non-profit visitor and convention bureau marketing Saskatoon and region as a destination of choice for leisure and business travel.  Services include convention and events attraction, media relations, and membership services advocacy.  Tourism Saskatoon is one of only five internationally accredited destination marketing organizations in Canada.  Nicknamed “the hub city” for its numerous domestic and international transportation connections, Saskatoon is known for its expansive parklands and admired for its arts and culture scene, festivals, and major sporting events.  For more information, visit www.tourismsasktoon.com.