1. THE FUTURE OF THE CIVIC

What is happening at The Civic Theatre?
‍We’re transforming Nelson’s historic single-screen Civic Theatre into a fully accessible, modern, three-screen community media arts centre.

Why three theatres?
‍Three screens mean more flexibility - different shows for different audiences, longer runs, private rentals, and better programming options year-round. It will also enable us to be financially stable for good.
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‍What’s being added or changed?
‍3 beautiful, flexible theatres
A welcoming new lobby and concession
Major accessibility improvements: elevator, washrooms, seating
Energy efficiency and waste reduction
More community space and creative options

We are also looking to retain the things that we love - our proscenium stage, some of our original lighting fixtures, and the feeling of community in our lobby.

Will the new Civic still feel like our Civic?
‍Yes, but better. It will be familiar, but more accessible, comfortable, and dynamic. The heart is the same and the experience will be even richer.

‍What else will happen besides movies?
‍Expect workshops, festivals, livestreams, youth programs, artist residencies, and some truly creative events. We’re building a media arts centre, not just a cinema.

‍Will ticket prices go up?
The very most important thing to us is that you can see a movie at The Civic Theatre. We’re designing pricing to stay accessible through:
Regular affordable tickets
Discounted and Barrier-Free options
Free and all-ages events
Membership benefits and pass savings

2. CONSTRUCTION, TIMELINE & CLOSURE

Didn’t this project start ages ago? What’s the hold up?
‍Yes, and we totally understand the confusion. The building’s closure began in April 2024 due to the City’s necessary roof and infrastructure upgrades. That work, while not always visible, has been significant. Only once it’s complete can we begin our renovation.

‍Why haven’t you started your part yet?
‍We can’t begin interior renovations until the City finishes structural work. Think of it like waiting for the house frame to be rebuilt before decorating the rooms. We are expecting now to be able to break ground on renovations no later than January 2026, possibly sooner.

‍Why did you close if you weren’t ready to start?
‍We had to vacate the building in early 2024 for safety reasons. The City’s work made public access impossible. We’ve kept programming alive through The Shoebox Theatre, Reo’s Video, and partner venues, but the main space hasn’t been usable.

‍Why not reopen the old theatre temporarily?
‍It’s not safe or viable. The space is mid-transition, and would be impossible to reopen now before our interior renovations take place.

3. CITY VS. NCTS — WHO’S DOING WHAT?
Who owns the building?
The City of Nelson owns the Civic Centre.
NCTS is a charitable organization that operates the theatre space within it.

‍Who’s responsible for what?
City: Roof repairs, windows, insulation, structural work
NCTS: Interior renovations, theatres, elevator, seating, lobby, technology, accessibility

4. CAPITAL FUNDRAISING & MONEY QUESTIONS

How much will the whole interior renovation project cost?
‍About $6.5 million. We’ve already raised $3.625 million, and we’re actively fundraising the remaining $2.8 million, plus continuity and fundraising costs, so our goal is ~$3 million.

‍Where has the $3.625 million gone?
‍It’s been committed to the actual capital costs: design, permits, construction, accessibility, equipment, and more. All of our grants for this project are tied to specific uses and timelines (with some extensions in our case, given the situation).

‍Are you being transparent about money?
Always. We follow all CRA requirements, publish audited financials, and report to government and foundation funders. We also have a volunteer board of directors that hold fiduciary responsibility for NCTS.

‍Can I donate?
‍Absolutely. Every donation makes a difference. Depending on the size of a gift, we offer naming opportunities, charitable receipts, and donor recognition. Click here to make a gift.

‍Can I name a seat or space?
‍Yes, we have several naming options available and there will be a seat sponsorship campaign unveiled in 2026. If you are interested in naming a space within the renovated Civic Theatre, let’s talk!

5. OPERATIONS: SURVIVING NOW, SUSTAINING SOON

You keep saying you’ll be self-sustaining but all the messaging from NCTS right now is that there is no money for operations. How does that work?
‍You’re right - that is exactly what our messaging is at the moment and we understand why it could be confusing.

We are in a really tough position right now because of the prolonged closure. When The Civic was operating, our single screen generated about 80% of our annual revenue. Since we closed for construction in early 2024, that income has all but vanished, and our operating budget has been under severe strain as a result.

We’ve kept going through:
A core of committed monthly donors and members
Program grants that offer a percentage to overhead costs
An emergency grant from the City
Measured draws on our line of credit from the City
Careful financial management
Deep staff cuts and personal sacrifices
And sheer tenacity and grit (let’s be honest)

If The Civic Theatre is closed right now, what operating costs do you have to cover until it reopens?
Great question! Our operations at 225 Hall St (The Shoebox and Reo's Video) cover their own staffing and screening expenses, and programs like the Film Commission, Stoodis Festival, and Kootenay Screen-Based Industry Workers program have generally been covered by grants and some earned income. We also receive some funding each year from other granting organizations and local sponsors for community programming like the Zombie Walk and Home for the Holidays.

What is not covered by these income streams is:
Rent for 225 Hall Street (where we have our offices)
Utilities and necessary technology and subscriptions
Leadership and fundraising wages
Bookkeeping and accounting costs, including our annual audit (a necessity when applying for larger grants)
Marketing and communications expenses related to the capital project (like this FAQ!)

If we don't pay for these things, we won't have:
The ability to offer screenings at The Shoebox or keep the Reo's collection open
A team to fundraise the money we need to complete the capital project
The capacity to steward the completion of the actual renovation of The Civic Theatre
The ability to tell our community what is going on.

When The Civic Theatre was open, it typically had a profit margin of around 40% after all expenses related to showing movies. This income went toward these operational things, and was topped up by grants and donations (remember that important point about needing more theatres to be self-sufficient?). We have lost that operating income stream that funded our administrative overheads and charitable programs and services overall.

So what’s the plan for sustainability after reopening?
‍Once we reopen with three screens, we’ll be able to:
Run more showtimes per day
Host multiple programs at once
Offer rentals and community bookings
Build year-round earned revenue from tickets, concessions, and events

With that model, we expect to cover all our operating expenses through regular activity.

How do you get through until then?
We’re fundraising for operational support right now - not just capital.
We need:
Gifts to keep staff employed through the campaign
Bridge funding to survive the closure
Support for equipment, training, and launch costs we’ll need before revenue returns

This entire need and operational fundraising campaign was not part of our plan - we originally expected a four-month closure while The Civic renovations took place, but the way that this project has transpired has long exceeded that length of time and made such a short closure within our own project impossible too.

‍How can I help?
Renew your NCTS membership
Come to movies at The Shoebox (and buy lots of popcorn!)
‍Become a monthly donor - even $10/month helps
Make a one-time gift to our Operating Fund
Help us connect with businesses, funders, or philanthropies that will help us through our closure and also support the fundraising goal for the capital campaign itself.

How can I stay informed?
Sign up for our newsletter, follow us on socials, or drop by 225 Hall to talk with us.

6. MISCONCEPTIONS
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Is this just a big-city arts project?
‍Not at all. This project is rural, responsive, practical, adaptable, and community-driven. Three screens give us flexibility, not extravagance. Everything is right-sized for Nelson.

‍Why not move to another location while you wait?
‍While The Shoebox and Reo’s Video are punching above their weight, we would have liked to find another alternative space to run while The Civic has been closed. We experimented with drive ins in three locations in Nelson, which were so much fun, but in then end didn't contribute more to our bottom line than covering their own costs, and they were a ton of work.
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We looked at other locations in town and even nearby outside of Nelson, but ran into impasses at every turn. The truth is that it is very challenging to create a temporary pop-up cinema that will pay off financially.  Between adapting a space, meeting code for a public assembly occupancy, and getting people to repeatedly come to films and buy concession (which is a critical income stream in the cinema business model), there just hasn't been a place in our town that would fit the bill.

‍7. SUSTAINABILITY & INCLUSION

Is this an environmentally friendly project?
Very. We’re reducing GHG emissions by 33%, energy use by 30%, and massively reducing concession waste. Retrofitting the building also saves millions of pounds of concrete from the landfill (if we were ever to go there!).

Why not tear it down and start fresh?
Demolishing the Civic Centre would be an enormous undertaking costing millions and needing carting of a massive amount of debris to...somewhere. It would also release a huge amount of dangerous silica dust. And of course it would also destroy a beloved heritage structure. While very complex and quite imperfect, renovating remains the greener and smarter choice for Nelson's Civic Centre.

‍How is accessibility being addressed?
Installation of a LU/LA elevator
Accessible seating and washrooms
Barrier-free design
Inclusive programming and pricing
New accommodations for people who are blind, deafblind or low vision, and D/deaf or Hard of Hearing (HoH).

‍Will you still do fun, silly stuff?
‍Always. We’re still the team behind karaoke Oscar parties, Barbie photo ops, and Ninja Turtle pizza nights. Joy is at the core of our mission. In fact, if you are someone who is asking this question, we have a special FAQ just for you.

Do you have a question we didn't answer? Let us know!‍‍