A half million dollar renovation project has the Empress Theatre in shape to serve patrons for another century.
And that’s a good thing, given the theatre’s place of prominence in Fort Macleod and southern Alberta.
“The Empress is a place where everyone can come together,” Empress Theatre Society president Jackie Nelson said. “We are a place where everyone feels welcome. I think everyone we talk to has a memory here, not only for locals but for so many from Alberta and even further. It’s not just a movie theatre — it really is a hub of Fort Macleod.”
A free grand opening celebration is set for 7 p.m. Friday, March 27 to recognize people, businesses and organizations that supported the renovation project.
Those renovations included refurbished seats, a new floor and expanded women’s washroom.
“The Empress was in great need of the renovations,” Nelson said. “The seats were hard to sit in for long periods of time. Springs in places you didn’t want springs, and the floor needed help as well. Years of spills and wear and tear took its toll.”
The Town of Fort Macleod contributed $236,531 to the project and the Empress Theatre Society put in $125,000. Private donors also helped.
“We were absolutely overwhelmed not just by the support of the community but from all over,” Nelson said. “Everyone from the town to the province to patrons who may have only been to the theatre once. We are so grateful for everyone’s support.”
The theatre built in 1912 was closed for about eight months last year while the renovations were carried out, reopening in the fall.
As it reopened the theatre underwent a complete change in its operating system, so the grand opening was delayed.
The Empress Theatre Society felt it important to have a celebration, even though the theatre has been operating for several months.
“If wasn’t for our donors this wouldn’t have been possible so it was important to us to make sure it was done right and not rushed,” Nelson said.
One of the highlights of the grand opening will be the unveiling of the donor wall celebrating those who contributed to the project.
The grand opening celebration, which is free and open to the public, will include some speeches by dignitaries in a short ceremony.
The event will include performance by local entertainers, including Dona and Mick Guyette of the band Don’t Tell Mama, Charlie Navratil, Alec and Laura of the Chisholm Family Band, and Niall and Megan Jones of The Elk and The Bee.
The theatre’s bar and concession will be open and people are invited to visit in the Green Room following the ceremony.
A major renovation project, particularly in a building built in 1912, can be nerve-wracking, but the end result was worthwhile in the eyes of the Empress Theatre Society.
“We were very impressed,” Nelson said. “I think whenever there are renos done to a building with such significant historically importance everyone feels a bit nervous that you might lose some of its charm. This definitely was not the case. She is just as charming as ever. Maybe even more.”
Patrons have also been impressed with the theatre’s new look.
“All the feedback we have had has been very positive,” Nelson said. “People say the chairs are so much more comfortable and they love that there is now a slight angle to the outside rows to have a more direct line of sight to the stage.”
The Empress Theatre Society is hopeful the community will turn out for the celebration.
“We hope to have a full house and everyone is welcome,” Nelson said.
