With the Landmark Cinema in Campbell River recently announcing it will be closing its doors for good in January, the Gate House Theatre in Port McNeill will soon be the last place in the North Island you can go to watch a movie on the big screen.
Gate House president Gord Oppen was quick to say the theatre is "proud to be able to continue sharing the experience of families coming to the theatre to enjoy the big screen experience."
"Nowadays in the age of Netflix and things like that, we understand that going to the movies is more about the experience of going out as a family and enjoying the big screen, which is something you can't get at home. It's more about the event and a little bit less about the content."
Oppen noted it's an important element for the North Island community, and while they're not eligible to show first-run movies, they will often get those movies on their second release, which is sometimes six months after their initial release date.
"The reason we're able to continue doing this is because we've never perceived that we are in a position to show those first-run movies on their release date. In order to be in that club, you have to have roughly $100,000 in projection equipment to qualify, and we will probably never be able to fund that."
Oppen confirmed they work with their Canadian film distributor and "pay a fixed rate each year and a percentage of the ticket sales are the fees that we submit."
He added he believes the theatre has an obligation to the community to always show a couple movies a month aimed specifically at young adults on a Sunday afternoon for a typical five dollar ticket.
"We believe that it's an important contribution to the community, and an activity that all the young adults can enjoy and get involved with. We recognize that it's not a revenue generating thing, but the way that we've been able to structure it is if we get 20 people showing up it allows us to pay for the cost of the event."
Port McNeill has a population of around 2,500 and has always been a close-knit, community-oriented town. The theatre runs thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers and staff. When the theatre gets a list of movies they can show from their distributor, their staff have a group discussion about which movies to pick.
"It's mostly always going to be family-centred movies we pick, we do have some themes like 'Date Night' and 'Halloween', but you're certainly not going to see many R-rated films."
Above all else, Oppen wanted the North Island communities to know movies being shown on the big screen is important.
"These kind of venues like Campbell River's are closing every week all across Canada, and through the good grace of our sponsors and our landlord at the Gate House Theatre, we are fortunate to have the last remaining movie theatre on the North Island," he said.
"We too could disappear tomorrow without the support of the local community and their willingness to come out and buy a ticket. Please consider coming out to the odd movie and bringing the kids out, even for the sole reason it will allow us to have this amazing resource in a community our size where the economics would not typically warrant it."
So how can people make sure a theatre like the Gate House continues to be part of Port McNeill?
“Attend shows and events," said Oppen. "Our ticket prices are usually way below market prices, so it is certainly affordable. And if there is nothing happening at the theatre that works for you, tell us what would, and we’ll see if we can make it happen. You can also become a member. There are a number of benefits including free stuff, ticket discounts on shows and all of this would set you back a whole $2.00 a month.
"So, for $24/year you support something that is good for the community, provides you with a wide variety of entertainment and even tosses in some free swag. Does it get any better than that?”
Check out the Gate House Theatre's website for more information at https://gatehousetheatre.ca/
- with file from Bill McQuarrie
