Update: Civic Theatre in ‘dire’ predicament after closing for renovation: executive director
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The financial predicament of the city’s only theatre is ‘dire,’ says the Nelson Civic Theatre Society’s executive director.
Eleanor Stacey said the current closure of the Civic Theatre — which closed in April while the Civic Centre undergoes a complete roof repair — was much longer than the Nelson Civic Theatre Society (NCTS) had been prepared for and its small team and society board are doing everything it can to keep things going.
“That said, our financial predicament is dire and it won’t change significantly until we are back in the Civic Theatre,” she told City council during a committee-of-the-whole presentation on July 16. “We are working very hard not to become a statistic, but our current state is very uncertain and we need help.”
The NCTS asked the City for access to the full line of credit approved in 2019 for NCTS’ $4.2-million capital project — which includes creating three screens instead of the current one large one.
As well, the NCTS asked for support and non-competition from the City of Nelson for its application to the current Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure program (REDIP) intake. The third ask was for consideration of a one-time financial allocation (grant) to NCTS to “bridge the gap while the Civic Theatre is closed for roof repairs.”
Stacey said the three-screen model will work to secure NCTS for the foreseeable future, but right now the society has to weather the financial storm to get there.
“As the operational model review shows, the Civic Theatre can anticipate a solid financial future once we complete our multi-screen venue … but what is currently affecting our solvency is not the (construction) industry, it is the closure of the facility and the loss of most of our income,” she said.
The passion of the theatre community in Nelson has kept the “essential entertainment source” open for everyone in the area through some lean years, she added, and it will take more effort to get it through to the three-screen dream.
“It’s difficult to measure the full impact of the absence of a local theatre, though I’ve lived in small towns that had to see their theatres close. It’s a terrible loss, and I am grateful the Civic Theatre can still go strong,” said Stacey. “Despite the fact we have been shown incredible love from the community, we are in a very difficult time right now.
“With the theatre closed we have done everything we can to ensure our continuity ranging from building new things like the drive-in and minimizing expenses including letting 75 per cent of our staff go.”
The matter was referred to a future City council business meeting.
A peek at the project
The three-screen project is extensive and will see many changes to the venue which has been a one-serving service since it opened in 1936.
There will be a complete lobby renovation complete with new concession, ticket booth and five unisex washrooms. The major aspect of the renovation will be to create three screens where one has previously resided — all fully accessible — dividing the spaces into 214 seats, 81 and 84, respectively.
“The lobby will get as much of a renovation as the theatres as well as the support spaces,” said project architect Adam Brady from Cover Architectural Collaborative.
The renovation will provide two new theatres, which is the most exciting aspect of the project, said Brady.
“And, for us, this is where the focus is happening first, where we are going to be able to introduce the Small Black Box Theatre,” he said, which will include 81 seats and a mini projector booth on the balcony floor.
The third theatre also sits on the balcony level.
“So that is kind of what is driving this reno right now is the ability to be able to carve out those back areas into additional spaces that could generate more viewing and more viewership within the theatre itself,” said Brady.
Then the project will move toward the renovation of the main theatre with the existing auditorium going to remain largely intact, but with new projector and sound booth. There will, however, be a shared corridor constructed between the theatres that is going to allow people access to all three theatres.
“This really becomes now the main focus of the reno where we have the opportunity to introduce a barrier-free corridor and barrier-free entrances at dual points into this theatre,” Brady explained.
The entire Civic Centre is currently undergoing roof upgrades and the fall will see the theatre renovation kick into full gear, with a 10- to 12-month project completion timeline.
