Talks between Orange County and the Town of Chester to purchase the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center are ramping up.

The county Legislature unanimously approved the more than $1.3 million purchase of the property on Creamery Pond Road this week.

As News 12 reported last October, the Town of Chester has struggled to make a profit with the property and has operated the performing arts center in a deficit since purchasing it in 2019 for $1.1 million.

County Executive Steve Neuhaus says the county would revitalize the theater and make it a thriving community staple.

“It’s never reached its full potential. It’s a beautiful theater designed by people in the theater business and it’s a real gem,” Neuhaus tells News 12. “The county, unlike anyone else who’s owned it, does not need to make a profit. We want to do more. We have a big chunk of Broadway actors that live in Orange County, and they want to do seminars and teach young aspiring actors. I think it’s going to be a wonderful thing.”

Neuhaus says the county plans to use the space to host film festivals, live performances and educational programs.

Chester Town Supervisor Brandon Holdridge says the sale is a great opportunity for residents and the entire county.

“I’m happy to see the high interest from the county executive and overwhelming support from the county legislator in the purchasing of the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center. I’m looking forward to their formal proposal and working with them in a productive way moving forward," says Holdridge.

Holdridge says negotiations surrounding the sale are not yet final and that talks remain underway.