A decade after it was shut down, the fate of the iconic Heritage Theatre in downtown Brampton remains uncertain.

The Brampton Heritage Board, which came to the fore last year after arguing against a proposed $1.6 billion light rail transit line (HMLRT) because it would destroy the city’s historic downtown district, has placed the theatre on a list of properties to be considered for a heritage designation.

Placing the building on the City’s Heritage Register falls short of an official designation under the Ontario Heritage Act, which would almost ensure the landmark’s longevity.

An official designation under the Ontario Heritage Act would provide the former Capitol Theatre protection against being levelled or significantly changed.

Placing the building on the register gives the city the power to put off demolition for up to 60 days while it figures out if the building is worth saving.

The board pushed the recommendation for a designation, but according to a city spokesperson members “recognized that a designation at this time might add complexity to potential options and/or expression of interest for the property.”

The city says it is currently developing a strategy for all municipally owned “transitional” properties, including the Heritage Theatre Block, and will be reporting to council in the next several months.

The board agreed to defer the recommendation to beef up protection for the building at the corner of Main Street North and Theatre Lane.

The fate of the landmark theatre has been up in the air since 2006 when it closed to make way for the state-of-the-art Rose Theatre.

The Heritage Theatre was never officially put up for sale, but the municipality did put out a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) several years ago hoping to garner some ideas on what to do with the area.