Barring any surprises, movie lovers will once again be sitting on Patricia Theatre’s vintage velour seats as soon as Friday, December 5.
Restoration work at the Patricia is on track and Ann Nelson and her son Brian are working hard to achieve their deadline. They will be open in time to show the newest Hunger Games film.
Ann posted her latest progress report to the theatre’s Facebook page.
“No more cans of worms to open up with old walls,” she wrote. “No more surprises, no more foraging for exotic paints or fabrics.”
She reports a couple days of work were lost last week, while Brian recovered from an abscessed tooth, but the project is still on track for its planned opening.
The ceiling is almost finished, linoleum is being laid in the concession area and all the Donnacona has been installed on the main floor and balcony rail face. Only the balcony back wall remains unfinished, Ann said.
Damaged electrical is being fixed and the remaining attic sprinkler heads are being replaced to avoid attic floods from happening again. Ann reports that the insulation is also being installed on schedule.
The scaffolding, which allowed for access to the ceiling and high walls for refinishing and painting, will be removed soon to allow for the refinishing of the auditorium floor and the installation of the theatre’s vintage seats.
Having the seats removed allowed for the artist, who painted the theatre’s murals, to complete the job and finish the ceiling which Ann had originally intended to be blue with white clouds.
Ann said she is very grateful to the community for its support and positive thoughts throughout this restoration.
Hunger Games will open Friday, December 5, followed by St. Vincent on Friday, December 12. The latest instalment of The Hobbit will open December 17. For more information about the theatre and its schedule of films, readers can visit online or call 604.483.9345.
