Culture
Capitol Theatre’s last picture show is on March 31st
Owners of the downtown Yellowknife building say they are looking for a new tenant, 'who will continue to use the space for a similar purpose'
Yellowknife’s only movie theatre will go dark after Tuesday, March 31st.
Capitol Theatre general manager Chris Wood stated that the residual effect of the pandemic combined with the city’s 2023 wildfire evacuation, “has made continued operation of the theatre untenable.”
He stated in a release that Canadian Cinemas Limited thanked everyone who has patronized the theatre over the past 20 years.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of the Capitol Theatre,” stated Wood.
“It has been our pleasure to serve you. We have enjoyed contributing to the larger community of Yellowknife and surrounding areas through first-run Hollywood films, local films, film festivals and select independent films.”
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- At the 2024 Yellowknife International Film Festival in the lobby of the Capitol Theatre, Hunting in Dehcho editor Dustin Dewar, NWT Film Commissioner Camilla MacEachern, Culture Minister Caitlin Cleveland, and Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́/Fort Simpson filmmaker Jonathan Antoine. (CKLB files)
Wood stated the lease for the downtown venue in the Precambrian Building has not been renewed and it is not known what will be done with the space.
Gift certificates, passes and coupons will be accepted up until the last day of operation.
On Wednesday morning, Cabin Radio reported that McCor Management – which operates the Precambrian on behalf of the building’s owners – suggested its days as a movie theatre may not be over.
Cabin quoted a statement from McCor: “We recognize the importance of entertainment venues, especially indoor spaces, to the Yellowknife community. Our focus is on moving forward with a new leaseholder who will continue to use the space for a similar purpose.”
It’s not clear what that could be, and if it will re-open as a cinema.
The Precambrian Building is jointly owned, reports Cabin, by southern property giant Kingsett and Det’on Cho, the economic development arm of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
