The one question on everyone’s mind — when is the Garry Theatre going to open? — is now one step closer to being answered.
After multiple years of behind-the-scenes planning, research, investment, and community engagement, Selkirk Council officially appointed the Garry Theatre Board of Directors on February 17, marking a major milestone in the city’s long-term effort to restore and reopen the beloved downtown landmark.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work our team has done to take us this far,” said Mayor Larry Johannson.
“This project has been years in the making, and it reflects a real commitment to our community, our downtown, and our arts and culture scene. I’m confident this board will help turn the Garry Theatre back into the downtown gem so many people remember.”
A long time in the making
The creation of a board has long been identified as a critical step in reopening the Garry Theatre, ensuring the facility is guided by strong governance and community leadership.
Before the board was named, the city undertook extensive groundwork, including renovating the building, spending countless hours researching independent single-screen theatres, developing a business plan, engaging with the community, and securing funding to ensure the Garry Board would be set-up for success from day one.
“This board didn’t happen overnight,” said Duane Nicol, the city’s Chief Administrative Officer and a member of the Garry Board.
“This is a generational investment in our community, in arts and culture, and in Selkirk’s future.”Duane Nicol, Chief Administrative Officer
“The city has invested years of work into setting the Garry Theatre up for long-term success. Establishing this board ensures the right leadership is in place as we move into the next phase.”
Nicol added that the Garry Theatre’s rebirth is much more than just renovating an old building and playing some flicks on the big screen.
An investment in culture and community
“This is a generational investment in our community, in arts and culture, and in Selkirk’s future,” he said.
“The city’s vision for the Garry Theatre has always been to see it serve as a cultural cornerstone in our community, a place where people can come together, share experiences, and create those cherished memories that stay with you for life.”
The city developed a role description for Garry Theatre board members. The call for board nominations included a specific focus on individuals who had some combination of board governance experience, business and entrepreneurial experience, financial or legal background, and experience administrating arts and cultural programs. City administration received dozens of nominations from high-calibre candidates and undertook a thorough vetting process that included interviewing the short-listed candidates and ultimately recommended a slate of candidates to Selkirk Council for appointment.
Meet the inaugural Garry Board
The newly formed board brings together 11 community-minded individuals, each offering a diverse mix of skills, experiences, and perspectives, including expertise in governance, finance, arts and culture, non-profits, and community-building. In the Garry Theatre by-laws, Selkirk Council appoints the board of directors and selects who serves in the various officer positions. In the future, the Garry Theatre board will present the slate of candidates and officers for appointment, which ensures the board has direct input into who gets appointed.
The inaugural Garry Board includes:
- Alfred Anderson
- Bernadette Preun, Vice-President
- Duane Nicol, President
- Greg Dewar
- Jamie Horyski
- Jana Pringle
- Kyla Ray, Secretary
- Matt Evans, Treasurer
- Neil Cooke
- Neil Kordalchuk
- Sarah Hodges-Kolisnyk
Together, the board will provide strategic leadership for the theatre as it transitions into an independent, community-led, non-profit organization.
Two of the new board members are “transitional board members,” ensuring that the hand-off of the new corporation and building from the city to the new organisation is successful.
“Duane and Kyla are leading the city’s Garry Theatre project and have been appointed for one year to help the board get on its feet and ensure the successful transition of responsibility for the facility and legal corporation to the new non-profit body happens seamlessly. After that first year of operations, the expectation is that they will come off the board, and it will operate independently from the city,” said Johannson.
Closely connected
For many of the board members, the Garry’s closure in 2021 hit close to home and their decision to get involved with its Second Act is rooted in a deep personal connection to Selkirk’s iconic theatre.
“Some of my fondest memories were the times spent here in some of these seats, watching first run movies from the time I was probably five years old until I was 56 years old,” said Neil Cooke.
“What happened here in the Garry was quite magical. It allowed you as a young person to develop a lot of inspirational ideas and let your imagination run wild on all the things that were happening on the screen.”
Setting the Board up for success
Cooke noted that, alongside that personal connection and the diversity of skills among the board members, the City’s extra legwork to set the board up for success bodes well for the theatre’s long-term viability.
“I think where this whole journey started with the city and what they were planning, it set the stage for this board to be successful. We just need to take that vision and move it forward and with the right people at the table now I know it can be done,” Cooke said.
One board member who is perhaps uniquely positioned to make an impact on the Garry’s second chance is Matt Evans, who managed the theatre from 2007 to 2012.
“I think where this whole journey started with the city and what they were planning, it set the stage for this board to be successful. We just need to take that vision and move it forward and with the right people at the table now I know it can be done.”Neil Cooke, Garry Theatre Board Member
“The Garry Theatre was a passion project of mine,” said Evans.
“When I took over, the Garry was basically on its last legs. There were nights when only a couple of people would show up. But we were able to bring it back to Selkirk’s primary place to come to. Seeing it go from almost shutting down to back to something that the city loves was one of the proudest moments of my life.”
Evans said the inaugural board’s role now is to build on the theatre’s legacy as the place to watch movies in Selkirk and to guide the theatre into its next act as a hub for all arts and culture entertainment, like live music, theatre, and banquets. And yes, still show movies, too.
The board held its first official meeting on April 15 and is already moving quickly. One of its first priorities will be hiring an Executive Director, who will oversee day-to-day operations at the theatre and help guide it from reopening night to long-term sustainability.
With the groundwork laid, the board now in place, and construction work beginning to wrap-up, the Garry Theatre is almost ready to move from planning to production of the theatre’s Second Act.
