Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright, Mayor Linnsie Clark, Couns. Stuart Young and Brian Varga, and a variety of representatives from the two Rotary Clubs and the Monarch Theatre posed for a photo with the cheques, combining for a donation of $250,000.--Photo courtesy Luke Fandrich
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The historic Monarch Theatre received a significant investment Friday from a combination of government and community partners.
Monarch 1911 Society treasurer Brian Robinson says the society purchased the theatre in 2023 with the goal of becoming the stewards of Canada’s oldest purpose-built movie theatre.
The theatre has been operating for 115 years.
“Once ownership was secured, we knew responsible stewardship required more than good intentions – it required clarity and professional planning,” said Robinson, who is also the project manager overseeing the restoration.
The Monarch 1911 Society identified a number of priority projects that could provide for the theatre’s continued operations. Among the most pressing was replacing the roof.
At a cheque presentation Friday, the provincial and municipal governments and local Rotary Club branches awarded the Monarch 1911 Society with a combined total of $250,000 for the restoration of the theatre’s roof.
The government of Alberta provided $125,000 of that funding through the provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program.
“The Monarch is very near and dear to me,” said Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright, who presented the government cheque at Friday’s ceremony.
“It’s Canada’s longest purpose-built theatre, which is a huge reason why we need to make sure we’re investing in our history, investing in our arts and culture. I’m so happy to get this across the line with that provincial investment we’ve been able to secure.”
The City of Medicine Hat provided $65,000 through a city capital grant. Saamis Rotary granted $50,000 toward the project, and the Medicine Hat Rotary Club provided the remaining $10,000.
Sharon McDonnell, assistant governor with the Saamis Rotary Club, says the Rotary donations came from grants the district applied for from the Rotary Foundation.
“If they think it’s a valid cause, you end up being accepted. We each applied for a grant, and we both got it,” she said.
“It’s nice to have seen it get off to such a good start. It was a good plan that was put in place and it was well supported, and we see the end result. That’s what’s really nice.”
Robinson says he hopes the donations will help the theatre continue providing for the community for another 115 years.
“This project is a powerful example of collaboration at its best,” he said. “Government, service clubs, foundations, private donors and community partners coming together with a shared goal: preserving a historic community asset.”
