The Princess Theatre could have a brand new lease on life after sitting vacant for greater than three years, however, all of it is determined by neighborhood donations.
An Edmontonian has launched a GoFundMe marketing campaign to get the historic film theatre again up and operating.
“It might be nice to see the doorways again open on this place,” organizer David Stupnikoff instructed International Information.
“It’s an exquisite place. It’s in the course of Whyte Avenue. I imply this place is fantastic. When you ever have the prospect to be inside you understand it’s form of tremendous candy,” he added.
Stupnikoff works within the leisure trade and sometimes runs into performers who converse extremely of the venue.
“Everybody talks about how they’d like to have been in there,” he mentioned.
Stupnikoff mentioned he needs to revive the theatre by turning the primary ground right into a stage venue for skilled audio system and comedians and to host musical acts.
“Generally, movie doesn’t generate profits anymore, so fiscally it’s not an amazing funding. My objective with it’s to make it extra of a stay efficiency venue,” he mentioned.
He mentioned he hopes the basement theatre will nonetheless display movies.
Based on the Metropolis of Edmonton’s web site, the theatre was constructed by J.W. McKernan; development started in 1914.
In 1958, the theatre closed attributable to quite a lot of challenges, together with competitors with tv. After altering fingers in 1970 it reopened as soon as once more.
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The Princess Theatre shut down for a number of months when the COVID-19 public well being disaster started. It reopened having made a number of changes to comply with public well being tips, however in October 2020, the proprietor’s son T.J. Brar instructed International Information moviegoers didn’t return and the theatre struggled to function.
The constructing went up on the market in 2022.
The true-estate affiliate working with the present proprietor, Ian Fletcher, mentioned they’ve had presents to purchase the constructing however they need to promote it to somebody who will maintain it an arts-based facility.
Stupnikoff believes his imaginative and prescient aligns with the proprietor’s needs.
“I’m not going to die on this hill by any means, for the resurrection of this, however, I’m blissful to spearhead it and lead it. If it appears to be like like everybody helps it then we’ll keep it up,” Stupnikoff mentioned.
Whereas the constructing is listed on the market at $2.7 million, Stupnikoff has a fundraising objective of $9.2 million.
“It wants lots of work, issues are falling aside a bit bit in numerous areas,” he mentioned.
Native film director Shreela Chakrabartty advocates for Edmonton’s historical past as a part of the Edmonton Heritage Community.
Chakrabartty was stunned to be taught it was neighborhood members stepping as much as attempt to reinstate the theatre.
“I fear that its movie historical past can get erased,” she defined.
Chakrabartty described the theatre as a cornerstone of Edmonton’s cultural identification. She mentioned attending occasions and dealing with the theatre turned a stepping stone for individuals eager to develop within the movie trade.
She credit the venue for her personal profession progress.
“That historic high quality that it has – it’s not simply an architectural gem in our metropolis, it places our metropolis on the map,” she mentioned.
Stupnikoff hopes the reopening of the Princess Theatre will deliver individuals again to Whyte Avenue and help close by companies.
“A number of the native retailers could also be struggling. If we are able to get 300 individuals to line up for a present one night time, they’ll in all probability pop in to your bodega, continental, have a drink or one thing like that,” he defined.
Stupnikoff plans for an eight-month fundraising marketing campaign and hopes Edmontonians will rally collectively to make this dream come true.
“5 bucks, 10 bucks goes a good distance,” he mentioned.
If he doesn’t attain the funding objective, he mentioned he’ll donate the cash to the Stollery Kids’s Hospital.
–with recordsdata from International Information’ Phil Heidenreich and Sarah Ryan
© 2025 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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