I’m going to miss the historic Patricia Theatre [“Digital switch threatens theatre,” January 18]. True, I don’t go to every movie but I enjoy the opportunity for a night out with a friend and it’s the only theatre I know of that I can suggest what I’d like to see or ask when something I’m interested in is going to come.
We currently do have to wait for a new movie, blockbuster or otherwise, to come to us but until summer comes at least we know we’ll get to see the movie at some point (usually within a week or so). Now, in the real world, we won’t get to see any movies in the theatre if we can’t convert to digital probably by July.
Is there another theatre in town that has the proper equipment to run digital movies? I don’t know, maybe Brooks Secondary School’s Max Cameron Theatre since it’s high-tech. Would they want to show movies seven days a week plus matinees on Saturday and Sunday? I doubt it. How about Evergreen Theatre at Powell River Recreation Complex, supported by our tax dollars? I don’t know but I wouldn’t think so—someone could check it out though. Question: How would we feel if our tax-supported institutions were set up as businesses?
This isn’t the fabrication of someone’s imagination or a means of getting money. It’s an actuality. Suppliers of the films don’t want the hassle and cost of inventorying and shipping 35-millimetre films. They’re bulky, require multiple reels to show an entire movie and cost a bundle to ship to the smaller theatres. Makes sense to me.
Digital is compact and less expensive. Thus the cost of showing the movies decreases. This enables the operators of the Patricia to put more money into upgrades and restoration of this historic building.
The Patricia is a social centre. It’s a place for weddings, live entertainment and various activities held periodically by local organizations. All you have to do is ask to use the premises and something can be arranged around movie times.
Besides, where else can you hear a fantastic organ player playing the “oldies” free of charge, for your entertainment only on Wednesday and Thursday nights? I didn’t get married there, have only been to a few of the entertainments and have only gone on Wednesday night a few times and Thursday not at all because Tuesday is my night to go.
If 300 people pledged to donate $48.20 a month for the next six months, the cost of buying the digital projector would be covered. How about 600 people donating $24 a month for six months or 900 donating $16 for six months?
I’m sure the people responsible for keeping the Patricia going (the Nelsons) would be more than happy to put up a monetary thermometer to let us all know where we’re at with our community investment.
If the community could get behind an initiative to make the transition to digital we’d still have a movie theatre in our beautiful, historical, one-of-a-kind Patricia. Oh, did I mention the fantastic popcorn? It really is the best you’ll find anywhere bar none.
Lynne Nott is a 25-plus-year resident of Powell River who is a strong proponent of preserving heritage buildings.
