Coleman fundraiser to help Roxy revival

By Lethbridge Herald on July 19, 2023.

Herald file photo The Roxy Theatre is seen in this file photo. An event today will help with revival efforts of the historic Coleman venue.

Steffanie Costigan
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Crowsnest CanDo theatre group, in partnership with Teck Resources is hosting  an event to revive the Roxy Theatre in Coleman.

The Crowsnest Cultural and Recreation Society (CanDo) has found success in fundraising which began with a donation and early recognition from the Blairmore Lions Club. Since then CanDo has raised over a million dollars to revive the Roxy Theatre. 

Howard Vandemhoef, communication director of CanDo, said the Roxy Theatre is historic and will be used for theatrical performances along with the use of a movie theater. 

“Roxy Theatre is a provincial historic site, it’s been designated that,” and it will be used for theatrical and music performances and as a movie theatre,said Vandemhoef. 

The festivities will be at 1:30 p.m. today in downtown Coleman. Donations raised will be used to support the chairs and foyer renewal in the Roxy Theatre. Vandemhoef noted the talent that lives in the Crowsnest community.

“There’s an awful lot of talent here. And we really lack a venue to display that talent.” 

It is estimated Roxy Theatre still needs approximately $1.8 million to complete the renewal. The construction of the theatre began in May of this year. Vandemhoef said artists in the Crowsnest Pass community are excited to have a venue to perform in. 

“We do actually have a house band called ‘On The Rocks’ that is just dying to perform here all the time. We have a home theatrical group called the Red Ravens that will perform here all the time. Turning Point Dance Studio, they always have to go to Lethbridge for their premiere performances because there’s a lack of venue here. So here is our venue for them to perform.”

“A Fistful of Dollars”will be start off with the community welcoming, and then a party begins, with Lani Folkard music, singer, and songwriter Kevin Smith, Pikani Youth Dancers performing in the street to the music of Suzanne Strachan Scott and Becky Pichurski, food, fun and more. Vandemhoef expressed the encouragement they received from the start and the grants they have been able to receive to renew the Roxy Theatre.

“When we initially started this over two years ago, it took us just a few months to raise the capital to buy the building. 

“And the outpouring of support was so amazing that just it was an no-brainer to keep going. And we applied for all kinds of grants, and we did receive them.”

If you would like to donate to help the renewal of the Roxy Theatre, you can by visiting https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/63917?v2=true 

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