Nelson Civic Theatre

104-719 Vernon Street,
Nelson, BC V1L 4G3

Unfavorite 1 person favorited this theater

Related Websites

Nelson Civic Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Famous Players

Functions: Movies (First Run)

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Civic Theatre, Nelson Cinemax

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 250.352.5833

Nearby Theaters

Nelson Civic Theatre

Opened in 1935 as a live performance venue named the Civic Theatre. In 1936 it went over to use as a movie theatre. It was operated in 1940 by Famous Players. Seating at that time was listed at 950. After Famous Players it had a couple of other operators.

In 2010 the theatre was leased from the city by Kirk Nielson who has a number of other theatres in BC. He closed the theatre in September 2010 for renovations that included a new marquee, a renovated lobby, new seats, a new sound system and a small arcade and crying room. They did run into problems with the new seats that were not designed for sloped floors so adjustments were made. It was closed in September 2010.

The theatre reopened for Christmas 2010 and received a new name, the Nelson Cinemax, but Cinemax only had a shot time and they had given up the theatre in 2011. In March 2013, it was announced the cinema would be converted to digital projection, and the auditorium sub-divided into three screens which reopened in June 2013. The theatre operates with the help of the Volunteers & staff of the Nelson Civic Theatre Society.

Contributed by Chuck

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

ScreenClassic
ScreenClassic on November 28, 2012 at 8:23 am

This photo shows how the theatre now looks, back under its original name of the Civic Theatre. The theatre’s new website is also here: Nelson Civic Theatre

An older photo of the Civic, then under Famous Players management, can be seen here.

ScreenClassic
ScreenClassic on November 28, 2012 at 8:31 am

An older view of the Civic Theatre auditorium space from 1936 can be seen here.

ScreenClassic
ScreenClassic on March 13, 2013 at 6:22 am

The Civic Theatre Society recently announced plans to convert the Civic into an all-digital, three-screen multiplex in time for the summer blockbuster season: Ushering in a new era of possibility at our newly remodelled Civic Theatre

The proposed floorplan for the converted Civic Theatre can be seen here. Once done, theatre seating will consist of 241 seats in the main theatre (the front section of the current auditorium) and 119 seats each in Theatres Two and Three, for a total of 479 seats.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.