The City of Selkirk has added to its family of funds held at the Selkirk & District Community Foundation with the establishment of The Garry Theatre Fund.
The Garry fund becomes the city’s fifth endowment fund, joining the Selkirk Heritage Endowment Fund (SHEF), established in 2012, followed by the Parks in 2015, and the Recreation and Accessible Transit funds in 2020. View all funds here.
The Garry Theatre Endowment fund will provide long-term, stable revenue for the theatre
The fund will provide a long-term, stable source of revenue to the non-profit Garry for years to come, making it non-reliant on taxpayer dollars. The Garry Fund will support the theatre’s operations, maintenance and programming.
“The city has established the fund and citizens will be able to donate to it through the Selkirk & District Community Foundation,” says CAO Duane Nicol.
“The beauty of endowments is the donation you make is never spent, it’s invested and the income earned off that investment is what comes back to the theatre, providing that sustainable source of income forever.”
Other endowments perfect example of how powerful they can be
Nicol points to the success of SHEF as a great example of the power of endowment.
“SHEF is the prime example of what an endowment can do. It was established in 2012 and on the basis of its funding the city has a robust virtual museum, we have a municipal archive and dedicated staff person and on top of that, the Marine Museum gets $10,000 a year,” Nicol said.
“And all of this is supported by the income generated from the Selkirk Heritage Endowment Fund.”
Another example is income from the Parks fund helps pay for maintenance of the parks.
“The city’s approach to endowment building is one of the best examples in Canada”
Selkirk and District Community Foundation Executive Director, Bev Clegg
Bev Clegg, Executive Director of the Foundation, says the city is unique in its commitment to endowment funds.
“The city’s approach to endowment building is one of the best examples in Canada,” Clegg said.
“It’s the way they approach their endowment building with their local community foundation. They create funds, they create ways to add to their funds that support employees, support the community, it’s an amazing example of community development in relationship with their community foundation.”
Clegg says Selkirk is creative in the ways it contributes back to the funds, including through money raised through its online shop – shop.myselkirk.ca, that sells everything from T-shirts to mugs and historical photos of the city, suitable for framing.
“Their system is unique. I’ll have conversations with colleagues and they say, “What? What do you mean they sell T-shirts and give it to their fund?” I say, ‘Yup, and on top of that, some employees contribute automatically each payday, and the city matches those contributions,” Clegg said.
The Garry Theatre T-shirts, hoodies are already available and selling fast.
“To the best of my knowledge, no other municipality in Manitoba comes close to the level of community foundation-municipal collaborations we see in Selkirk”
Former Vice President of Endow Manitoba, Alan Goddard
The former Vice President of Endow Manitoba, Alan Goddard, also had high praise for the city.
“To the best of my knowledge, no other municipality in Manitoba comes close to the level of community foundation-municipal collaborations we see in Selkirk,” Goddard said in 2023.
Long-term funding is critical to the theatre’s success
The city’s business plan for The Garry states that long-term funding is critical to the theatre’s success. Purchased by the city in 2021, renovations to the building have been underway since spring, a volunteer board is being assembled, and the policies and bylaws of the non-profit theatre have been created.
“The business plan acknowledges a long-term funding support will be required to keep The Garry financially viable,” Nicol said.
“Part of the goal here is to not have ongoing municipal tax contributions to keep The Garry operating. This endowment fund is about making it financially self-sufficient over time.”
To help achieve that goal, a percentage of revenue from The Garry – including ticket sales, sponsorship and donations – will go to the endowment fund.
“Just by going to The Garry Theatre and seeing a movie or a performance there, you’re helping to support it today and into the future,” Nicol said.
Purchasing and re-opening The Garry Theatre aligns with the city’s Community Strategic Plan, which calls for the revitalization of downtown, taking firmer control of Selkirk’s economic destiny, building on the city’s status as a regional service centre, and providing the best possible recreation opportunities for residents.
The success of The Garry will have far reaching positive impacts. With its regenerative business model, The Garry will keep entertainment dollars local and stimulate the Selkirk economy, support nearby businesses and create jobs in arts and culture.
The theatre will serve as a vital community hub, strengthen social bonds and create a greater sense of belonging and will help build human capital by offering employment and volunteer opportunities. It will also allow youth to gain real-world experience in the performing arts.
The Garry will become a platform for Selkirk’s diverse cultural expressions, giving local artists a space to create and celebrate the community’s rich and evolving heritage.
For Clegg, the progress seen in the community already that is moving The Garry closer to opening its doors to the public in its new life is exciting, and she can’t help but enthuse about the city’s commitment to endowment and the successes it has and will bring.
“The City of Selkirk has been a friend of the Foundation for many years, starting with when they first introduced and created the SHEF. What a great start that was to what is now a family of funds,” Clegg said.
“And now the newest is the Garry Theatre Endowment fund, and what a great thing to see the other day, the new marquee, the new neon signs are going up, and that’s so cool. To know that the city cares so much about the community to make those forever gifts, things will continue to be looked after for a long time from now.”
The Garry Theatre is expected to open in late 2025.
You can donate to The Garry Theatre Endowment Fund by visiting GarryTheatre.ca/Support. All those who contribute before December 31, 2025, will have their name permanently displayed on the Founder’s Wall which will be on display inside the theatre. There are also a limited number of seats that can be named and will feature a personalized plaque.
