Having a movie theatre ‘non-negotiable’ for Yellowknife, says concerned group

As the credits wait to roll on the only movie theatre in the NWT’s capitol, a group of concerned movie fans and filmmakers want to know what the owners of the building have in store for the downtown culture hub.

In an open letter to owners/operators of the Precambrian Building — Det’on Cho Capital and McCor Management — Aidan Charpentier expressed concerns raised in a community meeting of about two dozen people at Weledeh Catholic School on February 16th.

“As a remote and isolated capital city, a movie theatre is essential for both local and wider cultural connection for all walks of life,” the letter stated. “Significant concern was also expressed on the impacts the absence of a movie theatre will have on Yellowknife and Northwest Territories youth.

“This is a venue for safe, early independence, both for early working experience and as a warm and substance-free place to frequent in the evenings; it provides non-sport recreation and peer connection; and it is a place youth from other communities of the territory can and do visit.”

The loss of the theatre, set to go dark after March 31st, will also further the recently accelerated decline, “and the loss of the movie theatre would be another detrimental blow to this ongoing problem.”

The group ‘respectfully’ requests information from McCor and Det’on Cho regarding what is planned for the current movie theatre space so it can create an appropriate plan to respond.

More specifically:

• What is the nature of the “similar purpose” the new leaseholder will use the space for?
• If the space will no longer continue as a movie theatre, what will happen with the equipment such as projectors and screens?
• And, in the event that negotiations may be ongoing, is there any other firm information that can be shared now to give Yellowknife a more fulsome picture of what is going on behind the scenes?

The letter states that “many innovative and community-centered ideas were shared” on February 16th for moving forward in a new way, “and once we have a more concrete understanding of the whole picture, we look forward to supporting and enhancing the film going experience in Yellowknife, whatever that looks like.”

The letter was also sent to politicians, the NWT Film Commission City of Yellowknife council and media.

Yellowknife does not have a councillor specifically representing the downtown, but Coun. Tom McLennan, posted to social media that building community and supporting the local economy in small, remote places is not convenient or cheap.

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“I’d encourage everyone to reflect on what sort of place they want to live in and celebrate the wonderful community we have,” read the post. “The loss of the cinema is the loss of a community space but we are incredibly lucky to have so many others.

“I’m saddened by the loss of one of the places where we come together to watch art and be entertained but it’s a reminder to both participate in the similar places that exist and help build new ones when you can.”

Earlier this month. 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.

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.

Cabin Radio 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 “similar purpose” could be, and if it will re-open as a cinema.

The theatre is home base for the growing Yellowknife International Film Festival, which held its 19th edition last fall.

This annual event is presented by Western Arctic Moving Pictures (WAMP) and is the largest film event held in the NWT.

It spotlights local, Indigenous, Canadian, and circumpolar filmmaking , while playsing host to of out-of-town festival guests from across the North and beyond.

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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.

While the building’s owners have said they want the facility to serve a similar purpose after that date, a spokesperson noted no final decisions have been made and possibilities are still being explored.

CKLB will seek comment from the appropriate parties.