The owner of the building where Yellowknife’s only movie theatre is closing down says it’s actively seeking someone to take over – but the space might not remain a theatre.
In a Friday statement to Cabin Radio, the Det’on Cho group said it is searching for “a tenant that delivers strong community value and long-term sustainability” to replace the present owners of the Capitol Theatre, which will close at the end of March.
The movie theatre’s manager said last month it is closing as it has been losing money for years and could not reach terms on a new lease.
At the time, Det’on Cho said the space still had a future serving “a similar purpose” but did not elaborate.
In its new statement on Friday, a spokesperson said Det’on Cho had chosen to end the Capitol Theatre’s lease, describing that as a decision “not made lightly.”
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“It followed ongoing financial and contractual challenges that made the existing arrangement unsustainable. Ensuring the long-term viability of the property requires a stable and economically sound operating model,” Det’on Cho stated.
That model may or may not involve a movie theatre, the statement added.
“While a ‘similar purpose’ may include film, we recognize the evolving entertainment landscape – with thousands of theatres closing across North America – and are open to models that can succeed in today’s economic climate,” Det’on Cho stated.
“We are seeking a leaseholder with a robust business plan to ensure the doors remain open for years to come.”
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The Indigenous development corporation, which is the business wing of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, said it is now “inviting proposals from qualified operators, including community groups and non-profits, that can demonstrate the financial capacity and operational expertise required to manage a facility of this scale.”
What kind of financial capacity any group would need is not clear.
The rent alone for the movie theatre space is understood to amount to tens of thousands of dollars per month.
Theatre ‘is non-negotiable’ for residents
Det’on Cho’s email followed a letter sent to the company by Yellowknife resident Aidan Charpentier asking for more information about the theatre’s future.
Charpentier organized a community gathering earlier this month to discuss the impending closure.
In his letter to Det’on Cho, he said the uncertainty around what happens after March 31 “renders it next to impossible for concerned citizens to respond to this situation appropriately.”
Charpentier described the presence of a movie theatre as a “non-negotiable” for Yellowknife. The next one is a five-hour drive away in Hay River. Beyond that, the nearest is in Alberta.
“As a remote and isolated capital city, a movie theatre is essential for both local and wider cultural connection for all walks of life,” Charpentier wrote.
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“It cannot be ignored that the landscape of downtown Yellowknife has been on a steady decline for years, and the loss of the movie theatre would be another detrimental blow to this ongoing problem. As such, members of the Yellowknife community are not prepared to sit back and allow this to happen.”
Charpentier pressed for more information on any negotiations into which Det’on Cho has entered, how the space might be used in future, and what might happen to equipment like projectors and screens if the movie theatre permanently closes.
“As negotiations are confidential, we are unable to comment on specific discussions at this time,” Det’on Cho stated on Friday.
“We appreciate the community’s passion and look forward to the next chapter for this important downtown space.”
The company concluded by asserting that its latest comment “represents Det’on Cho’s final statement on this matter.”
