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Powell River Film Society sets sights on Patricia Theatre purchase

Roof repair fundraising program reaches target
Powell River Film Society
ROOF REPAIR: Rotary Club of Powell River Sunrise presented a $5,000 cheque to Powell River Film Society for the repair of the Patricia Theatre roof. A total of $15,000 was raised in the community for the project. Paul Galinski photo

Powell River Film Society’s campaign to repair the roof on the Patricia Theatre has reached its fundraising goal.

The society had set a target of $15,000 to fix the roof so the asset can be protected, and future fundraising can take place to buy the theatre.

Powell River Film Society executive director Gary Shilling, after receiving a $5,000 cheque from the Rotary Club of Powell River Sunrise, said with the addition of the cheque, the first goal of raising $15,000 to patch the roof had been raised.

“We’ve had a number of individuals come forward with donations as large as $5,000,” said Shilling. “We’re in the process of scheduling Nelson Roofing to do the roofing. Then we’ll be moving forward with our major fundraising to complete the purchase of the theatre.”

Shilling is pleased with the community response for the request for funds to repair the theatre’s roof.

“It’s been great,” he said. “It will help protect the asset, which is what’s critical.”

In terms of the society’s bid for the purchase of the theatre, the society’s website will be updated so people can donate online and the society will start rallying volunteers to start calling on the broader community and following up on pledges that people have already made.

A purchase agreement is in place for $450,000 and there is a mortgage on the building held by First Credit Union. Shilling said the first priority is to pay out the equity current owner Ann Nelson has in the building, so she can move forward. Then, ideally, the mortgage would be transferred to the film society, according to Shilling.

People wishing to assist with the purchase of the Patricia Theatre can drop off cheques made out to Powell River Film Society at the theatre. Donors receive a charitable donation receipt for their taxes.

While it is difficult to set timelines for the purchase, Shilling said ideally, by 2021, arrangements can be made to purchase the theatre.

“It’s a short timeline,” he said. “We hope to do it in 18 months.”

Shilling said that right now, he is working on programming for the upcoming Powell River Film Festival in February.

“We have some pretty exciting stuff lined up,” he added.