The Prince George Citizen

Vancouver theatre gets grant

- Citizen news service

VANCOUVER — The owners of one of Vancouver’s last independen­t theatres have been thrown a lifeline by the city with a conditiona­l grant of $375,000.

Zoning changes for the Rio Theatre earlier this year attracted developers looking to tear it down, prompting a months-long fundraisin­g operation.

Theatre operator Corinne Lea has been leading the crowdfundi­ng and private investment campaign to purchase the venue, but they needed about $3.8-million to secure the land.

Lea says their July 31 deadline for investment was pushed forward to allow processing of the latest grant and they have already received investment­s from 140 sources.

Mayor Gregor Robertson says in a statement that the art deco theatre is a cultural landmark and an important venue for showcasing local artists and events.

The city says the grant will help close the funding gap with the purchase deadline approachin­g, but the money is conditiona­l on the group securing the remainder of necessary funds from the federal government or private donations and on the facility operating as a theatre for at least 10 years.

“Vancouver is home to a thriving arts and culture scene, and the Rio Theatre is an important cultural venue for showcasing local artists and events,” said Robertson in a news release.

“It’s inspiring to see so much community support come forward to raise money to save the Rio.”

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