The Civic Theatre has reported a financial loss as it prepares for the possibility of a shutdown this winter.
Statements for the year ending June 30 that were presented at the theatre’s annual general meeting on Dec. 14 show the theatre recorded a deficit of $60,422.
Executive director Eleanor Stacey said $18,000 of that loss is actually an adjustment to deferred contributions, and that the actual cash flow deficit is $42,000.
“It comes down to we need to see people coming to the movies in order for the organization to be able to operate. Of course we are going after grants wherever we can, but we aren’t eligible for a lot of things that other arts organizations are eligible for.”
The financial disclosure comes as the theatre and other tenants at the Civic Centre hold their breath whenever snow falls.
The City of Nelson announced in October that the wooden trusses supporting the 87-year-old facility’s roof don’t meet the current minimum standards for snow load. If the city receives a certain amount of snow — in Nelson the more accurate word might be “when” — it could mean five tenants of the building including the theatre will be forced out as a safety precaution.
The city hasn’t yet said how or when it will address the roof renovations.
In response, the theatre began a fundraising campaign in October with a goal of $100,000. Stacey said the theatre has already raised half that, with an anonymous donor chipping in $25,000. The money will be used to keep the theatre’s core team employed and allow its programs and services to continue.
“It really is a financial amount that we need to get to in order to bridge the gap this year where we anticipate we’re going to be closed. And it’s important also to know a lot of the tentpole films come out in the wintertime. It’s a great time for people to go see a movie. So if we happen to be closed in March, we may not be able to show Dune 2 [for example.]”
The roof issue has also meant the theatre’s longstanding plans to install two more screens are on hold.
Stacey said the project is funded, save for fundraising to cover a $1-million line of credit provided by the city and adjustments made for inflation. Adding the screens also can’t occur until the city completes a major renovation to the building that include an energy retrofit and add a new accessibility concourse.
But the roof, Stacey said, is everyone’s priority this winter.
“Renovating the interior of the Civic Theatre can’t be the first concern right now. Fixing the roof needs to be the first concern, and that is a project that is being undertaken by the city.”
The theatre’s financial losses meanwhile can also be tied to several new initiatives in its first full year operating without COVID-19 restrictions.
In 2022-2023 the Civic Theatre opened the Shoebox Theatre, hosted the first Kootenay Film Festival and Stoodis Indigenous Film Festival. That required it to hire more employees, which in part led to the theatre paying nearly $60,000 more on wages and benefits.
Revenue from Reo’s Video also fell approximately $14,000, which Stacey said could be connected to allowing members free access to the rental catalogue.
People are also going to movies less than in previous years. The theatre sold 24,793 tickets during the financial year, whereas Stacey said past years its sales would be closer to 35,000.
That’s due in part to distribution rules that require films from major studios, like Disney, only available if they are screened for weeks on end. Stacey said Nelson wants to see major movies, but an initial rush often leads to an empty theatre after opening weekend.
But it wasn’t all bad news at the theatre.
A drive has led to the non-profit adding over 1,400 members as well as over 70 volunteers. The Civic Theatre also screened 152 films, which Stacey called a win in a year hampered by Hollywood strikes that delayed major releases.
Barbie, she said, was a highlight for the theatre and the first time since the pandemic that Stacey saw moviegoers excited en mass to see a film again.
“There was a small list of people who saw Barbie five times at the theatre. So my hope is that in fact the world is relearning how to live in public spaces and be comfortable with that, and that will bode well for cinema.”
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