Soon the curtain will open on The Garry Theatre’s second act, and the public has played a pivotal role in giving the storied theatre new life. Now, a Founders’ Capital Campaign is providing everyone who loves The Garry a chance to support it and be part of the historic reopening.
“There will be several options for people to donate to the Founders’ Campaign,” says Kyla Ray, the city’s Manager of Cultural and Recreational Programs.
Be Recognized Forever on the Founders’ Wall
“Anyone who does donate or sponsor from now until the end of the year will be permanently recognized on the Founders’ Wall located in the lobby. That wall will recognize the founders who helped The Garry reopen.”
The city purchased The Garry in 2021 with the intention of it becoming a community-run space. A survey conducted in 2022 yielded massive response and demonstrated the community’s love for the theatre. Almost 1,200 people took the survey.
Renovations of The Garry began this March and are well on their way. Seats have been removed, walls knocked down, carpets ripped out and new paint on the exterior. The new Garry will have an accessible entryway, wheelchair lift to access the theatre, dedicated wheelchair seating area, renovated accessible washrooms, new flooring, roof repairs, HVAC system replacement, electrical system replacement and aesthetic improvements.
Help us cross the fundraising finish line
The fundraising goal is $2 million and through contributions from the City of Selkirk, the Province of Manitoba and the Selkirk & District Community Foundation, 88 per cent of that has already been raised.
CAO Duane Nicol says citizens have supported the city’s decision to purchase The Garry and have also been instrumental in shaping the future of the theatre. The fundraising target is within reach and the public can now get The Garry across the finish line.
“We’ve set a target of $2 million to facilitate the reopening of The Garry Theatre and we’re almost there. We’re looking for other sponsors and donors to help us get to that level and beyond. The City’s goal is not just to get The Garry up and running, but to set it up to thrive over the long-term,” Nicol says.
“The donor and sponsorship programs provide a range of opportunities for citizens to contribute and also groups or businesses to sponsor. So being a Founder of the new Garry will be easy and available to people who want to be part of this historic community building project.”
Name a Seat Program
The Garry Theatre will have 248 seats when it reopens, and each one of them is available to be named for $350. The seat donation is expected to be a hot ticket item.
“A $350 donation gets you a plaque on the seat for 10 years and your name on the Founders Wall inside the theatre forever,” Ray says.
More than renovation project
“We’ve seen the love and support people from Selkirk and the surrounding areas have for The Garry Theatre. We know this is a renovation project, but it’s also a community building project. The Founders’ Capital Campaign gives a chance to support more than a building, but a piece of Selkirk history. This is an exclusive, one-time only opportunity to be recognized as a Founder of the new Garry Theatre. Once the campaign is over – there will be no more names added.”
There are also various opportunities for naming rights, from the stage to the concessions, tiered sponsorship opportunities, as well as tiered donor opportunities.
“This is an exclusive, one-time only opportunity to be recognized as a Founder of the new Garry Theatre. Once the campaign is over — there will be no more names added.”
Kyla Ray, Manager of Cultural and Recreational Programs
“The city has been approached by organisations with well-known histories of supporting or leading big projects in Selkirk, who want to play a key role in the new Garry and we have had some exciting discussions. There are some excellent opportunities to demonstrate community support through sponsorship of the Garry Theatre and great brand recognition opportunities. Sponsors who join before December 31, 2025, will also be recognized as Founders of the Garry,” said Nicol.
More information on how to donate or sponsor the Garry is available here
You can also follow along at GarryTheatre.ca and on Facebook or Instagram.