Months after reopening with new renovations after a year of closure and crowdfunding, the Vernon Towne Theater has run into another setback.
A fire at a neighboring business forced the historic theater to close on Feb. 10, and it has remained closed ever since. The theater hopes to reopen in another month, but that timeline could be extended depending on what may need to be replaced or repaired.
The theater had reopened in fall 2021 by the non-profit Okanagan Screen Arts Society, which had rescued the theater from closure and had just finished revamping the space.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the Screen Arts Society reopen the theater as quickly as possible.
“Even though the fire was not in their business and they are insured, the theater and society are facing unexpected losses in the tens of thousands of dollars (deductibles, increased premiums, lost business, etc),” organizer Christopher John said.
Business was going well at the theater before the fire and John said they were doing well enough to start hosting fundraisers for other local groups.
“What should have been a continued great stretch of business into the spring has now turned into a big set back for the devastated board and others who have put thousands of volunteer hours into the renovations and opening the theater up for the community under difficult circumstances, ”John said.
The theater has been serving the community since it opened as a dance hall in 1929. It became one of the most modern and advanced cinemas in 1938, and generations of North Okanagan residents have attended since.
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Brendan Shykora
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