The Toronto InternationalFilm Festival Group says it will break ground on its proposed headquarters inthe first quarter of 2007 towards an opening in the second quarter of 2009.

Construction of FestivalCentre, as it is dubbed, was announced in April 2003 and was originally plannedto begin in 2005 - and be operational for this year's festival -- but itsfunding drive did not proceed at the anticipated clip.

The C$196 capital campaignhas raised C$132m thus far and the organization hopes to make up the more thanC$60m difference through endowments and naming opportunities within the centre.The project, which includes a 37-storey condominium tower, calls for afive-storey dedicated facility including five screens ranging in size from 548seats to 80.

In a statement, TIFFG CEOPiers Handling said, "Withconstruction set to begin in the first quarter of 2007, we look forward to themoment when we will be moving into our new home which will be a unique andexciting centre for film lovers everywhere."