Nelson’s Civic Theatre Society is once again appealing to the public for donations to help sustain operations through the final stretch of the Civic Theatre renovation.
Executive director Eleanor Stacey wrote in a statement that the society urgently needs $50,000 in operating donations, with a total goal of $100,000 by Dec. 31.
“Without sufficient support in the coming weeks, we may face difficult decisions about staffing and what we’re able to accomplish,” Stacey said.
The campaign, called Rising Strong II: The Final Act, comes after more than two and a half years of closure, during which the society has been operating with a “lean team” while missing about 80 per cent of its usual earned revenue.
“With such a small team already in place, further reductions could directly affect our ability to raise capital, manage the redevelopment and prepare for reopening,” Stacey wrote.
The society has continued screening films at its smaller venues, the Shoebox and the Chapel at the Tenth Street Campus. However, Stacey and programming director Jason Asbell said in a video that ticket sales from the smaller cinemas cannot replace the revenue generated by the Civic Theatre.
The society said the funds are needed to retain staff and maintain the capacity to manage the redevelopment and prepare for reopening.
“Without operating support now, the people in essential work carrying this redevelopment forward are at risk,” Stacye said in the video.
The society launched its first Rising Strong campaign in 2023, when the theatre first faced closures over concerns about snow loads on the roof.
The society is asking residents to donate, attend screenings, share the campaign and connect it with potential supporters.
More information on the fundraiser can be found here.
Want to get your business noticed? Have you considered advertising through your local radio station? Speak to one of our sales agents and find out how radio advertising can boost your business today. Call 250-365-7600 or email Vista Radio.
