Civic Theatre Society unveils fundraising campaign total Wednesday
By Nelson Daily Staff
The movers and shakers of the Nelson Civic Theatre Society are hosting a special ceremony on the steps of the Vernon Street location Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to unveil the fundraising total.
At a special gala on February 22 the society announced that an anonymous private donor had pledged $60,000 towards the theatre’s conversion to digital projection and sound.
Combined with $15,000 already raised, that put the theatre halfway to realizing the full price tag for conversion, which is $150,000.
Fundraising project manager Roger Ley issued a challenge to the community: to raise a matching $75,000 by May 1, so the theatre can be showing digital movies by summer. As 35mm movies will no longer be made after this year, digital conversion is essential to the future of movies in Nelson.
Cheques have been rolling in, with seat sponsorships and donations towards digitization. The success of the campaign is a testimony to the generosity of our greater community and a broad-based desire to resurrect a venue for the entire community to enjoy.
Now, The Martin Hotel Group has pledged to match all donations in excess of the goal that come in by May 1, up to $5,000. This bonus will be used towards essential lobby and washroom renovations, the theatre’s next development phase in the long-term goal of becoming a three-screen community theatre.
