THE Princess theater May have a new lease on life after sitting vacant for more than three years, but it all depends on community donations.
An Edmontonian has launched a GoFundme campaign to operate the historic cinema being executed.
“It would be great to see the doors open in this place,” said organizer David Stupnikoff.
“It’s a beautiful place. It is in the middle of avenue Whyte. I mean this place is wonderful. If you are lucky to be inside, you know it’s a bit super soft, “he added.
Stupnikoff works in the entertainment industry and often meets artists who speak strongly of the place.
“Everyone talks about how they would like to be there,” he said.
Stupnikoff said he wanted to rekindle the theater by transforming the ground floor into a stage place for professional speakers and actors and to host musical acts.
“In general, the film no longer earns money, therefore financially, it is not an excellent investment. My goal is to do it more than one place of performance live, “he said.
He said he hoped that the theater of the subsoil would always project films.
According to the website of the city of Edmonton, the theater was built by JW McKernan; Construction began in 1914.
In 1958, the theater closed due to a number of challenges, including competition with television. After changing hands in 1970, he reopened once again.
Get daily national news
Get the best news of the day, the titles of political, economic and current affairs, delivered in your reception box once a day.
Princess Theater closed for several months when the COVI-19 public health crisis began. It reopened its doors after several adjustments to follow the directives of public health, but in October 2020, the son of the owner TJ Brar told Global News, the moviegoers did not return and that the theater had trouble functioning.
The building was sold in 2022.
The real estate partner working with the current owner, Ian Fletcher, said they had offers to buy the building, but they want to sell it to someone who will keep it an installation based on the arts.
Stupnikoff thinks that his vision aligns with the owner’s wishes.
“I will in no case die on this hill, for the resurrection of this, but I am happy to direct it and direct it. If it seems that everyone supports it, we will stick to it, ”said Stupnikoff.
While the building is registered for sale at 2.7 million dollars, Stupnikoff has a fundraising target of $ 9.2 million.
“He needs a lot of work, things collapse a little in different fields,” he said.
Local director Shreela Chakrabarty defends the story of Edmonton as part of the Edmonton Heritage Network.
Chakrabarty was surprised to learn that community members intensified to try to restore the theater.
“I fear her history of cinema can be erased,” she said.
Chakrabarty described the theater as a cornerstone of Edmonton’s cultural identity. She said that participating in events and working with theater has become a springboard for people wishing to develop in the film industry.
It attributes the place for its own career growth.
“This historical quality that he has-It is not only an architectural jewel in our city, it puts our city on the map,” she said.
Stupnikoff hopes that the reopening of the Princess Theater will bring people back on avenue Whyte and will support companies nearby.
“Some of the local stores may have trouble. If we can bring 300 people to queue for a show one night, they will probably enter your Bodega, continental, have a drink or something like that, “he explained.
Stupnikoff provides an eight -month -old fundraising campaign and hopes that the Edmontonians will come together to realize this dream.
“Five dollars, $ 10 is going very far,” he said.
If he does not reach the funding goal, he said he would donate money to the Stollery children’s hospital.
–The Global News files by Phil Heidenreich and Sarah Ryan
& Copy 2025 Global News, A Division of Corus Entertainment Inc.