Yellowknifers are gathering to discuss the closure of the Capitol Theatre, and what steps can be taken to preserve the historic institution.
After the announcement of the closure of the Capitol Theatre earlier this month, Yellowknife resident Aidan Charpentier is organizing a community forum to talk about what the next steps for the community will be.
“[This] is really just about bringing the community together and talking about what our options are,” said Charpentier. “Whether that be creating a cooperative investment group, finding a franchise, getting the city involved to renovate a space and having a volunteer run coalition.”
The Capitol Theatre has been a staple of Yellowknife’s downtown for over 50 years. Its closure means the end of one of the few entertainment venues in the city.
“It’s really a major space of culture and art in the city,” said Charpentier. “A safe space for youth to access, and for multiple generations of all people to access.”
Finding some way to preserve the theatre’s unique space in the city is the primary goal of the gathering Charpentier has organized.
“What I’m hoping to do is get a space together with the community to see what we can do.”
The meeting will be held February 15, from 4pm to 6pm, at the Weledeh Catholic School gymnasium.
