The show will go on at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Kamloops.
The Kamloops Film Society will take over operations of the building on a five year lease with new owners, the Kelson Group.
Executive Director Dusan Magdolen says they have plans to develop the building into a cultural hub.
“We’re also looking to do something different so it’s going to be meeting with a lot of groups, and seeing what they need and then hopefully down the road doing some bigger renovation, maybe the seating,” he said.
“Those things are aspirations, but they are going to take time and they are going to take money. It’s a very different beast now and it’s going to be building everything from the ground up.”
Film Society Chair Tom Friedman told the crowd gathered that he is grateful for the partnership with the Kelson Group.
“We’ve been in this community for 45 years, but this is a completely new era,” he said. “We now have a secure venue to continue both the film series and the film festival, but we have a lot more planned.”
Those plans are to screen movies, host concerts and comedy shows, plays and more.
“If people are coming out for more of that indie feel, then that’s what we’ll play,” Magdolen added. “If people want those second runs or those Hollywood features, as much as we can get them, that Cineplex doesn’t have, then we’ll do a little bit of that.”
“My guess is that we’ll be balancing it out.”
As part of today’s announcement, Dusan Magdolen will take over the Executive Director role for the Kamloops Film Society in a full time role. He’ll also serve as theatre manager.
The sale of Paramount Theatre to the Kelson Group was announced last week after Landmark Cinemas said they would be ending operations on April 17.
The film society will be paying below market rent plus the operating costs of the building.
Kelson Group’s Ron and Rae Fawcett have made a personal donation to help help with those operating costs.
“We look forward to providing our support as the Society builds out its business plan to run the theatre and make it a first class experience,” said Ron Fawcett.
The Film Society have the option of buying the building at the price Kelson Group paid, or they can extend the lease by another five years.
To accommodate the renovations like new seats, better concessions and lighting and larger stages, the theatre will be closed for about six weeks.
“The main theatre was built, and then the second theatre was added on, and so the flow of the lobby is a bit of a disaster when you start to get 400 or 500 people in here,” Magdolen said.
“There’s definitely some things we want to do with regards to renos, but I don’t have any thoughts to want to be tearing it down and doing something new with this building.”
Paramount Theatre will reopen part time on June 1, with plans for a grand opening this fall.