Lido Theatre
An atmospheric cinema in The Pas, Manitoba, that operated in its original 1929 building until its destruction by fire in 2024.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Lido Theatre was an atmospheric cinema in The Pas, Manitoba, Canada. Opened in 1929 and made available to the public in early 1930, it was built during the transition from silent films to talking pictures and was described as the first theatre in western Canada designed specifically for sound films. Its auditorium was primarily intended for cinema but also incorporated capacity for travelling stage productions, allowing the building to serve both as a movie house and an occasional live-performance venue. The theatre was commissioned by Auguste "Irish" Rivalin and his wife, Louisa, through The Northern Theatre Co. Ltd. Contractor John George Hartmier built the structure, while architect Max Zev Blankstein designed it. Blankstein was also associated with several Winnipeg theatres. The Lido adopted an atmospheric-theatre concept, creating an auditorium intended to evoke an outdoor setting rather than presenting a purely utilitarian interior. Its preservation in substantially original form became a defining part of its identity. According to the theatre's own account, later technology was added without fundamentally altering the historic interior; surround-sound speakers were cited as among the principal modern fixtures. The business faced financial pressure soon after opening as the Great Depression took hold. Irish and Louisa Rivalin provided additional loans to keep the operation running. When Irish was no longer prepared to extend further credit, the other partners had to choose between closing the theatre or selling their interests. They chose to keep it operating and transferred their portions to Irish, who was both the majority investor and the largest creditor. After serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War, Irish's son Paul Rivalin became involved in operating the theatre with his wife, Margaret. The couple formally acquired the Lido from Irish and Louisa in the 1960s. During the middle of that decade, the lobby was renovated by the engineering department of the T. Eaton Company of Toronto. The work created a permanent concession area, although it also removed rental units on either side of the lobby. The next generation continued the family connection. Paul and Margaret's son, August "Gus" Rivalin, became manager in the early 1970s, initially operating the theatre as a partner before purchasing it from his parents in 1974. He modernized the projection system with automated 35-millimetre equipment. In 1983, he added a video-rental operation called The Lido Video in the theatre lobby. The business expanded into the adjacent former Bank of Toronto and later Dominion Bank of Canada building, eventually reaching three locations over the following 17 years. In 1997, Gus also opened Saturn Video in Flin Flon, described as Manitoba's largest video store outside Winnipeg at that time. August Rivalin II acquired the properties from his father in late 2003. Between 2003 and 2019, the theatre received digital sound and projection upgrades. Renovation work began in early 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted operations and the theatre remained closed afterward. By 2023, its future was reported to be uncertain and closure appeared possible. On April 8, 2024, the Lido Theatre was destroyed by fire. The loss ended the operation of one of Canada's oldest atmospheric cinemas still operating in its original form.
History
Lido Theatre was established in The Pas, Manitoba, in 1929 by Auguste "Irish" Rivalin and his wife, Louisa, through The Northern Theatre Co. Ltd. The building was constructed by contractor John George Hartmier and designed by architect Max Zev Blankstein, whose work also included theatres in Winnipeg. It opened in late 1929 and began receiving the public in early 1930. The Lido was conceived during the emergence of talking pictures. It was identified as the first theatre in western Canada designed specifically for movies with sound. Although cinema was its primary purpose, the auditorium was also planned to accommodate travelling stage shows, and live productions were presented there from time to time. Its atmospheric design, which gave the auditorium an outdoor-like character, became central to the theatre's historical significance. The building remained substantially in its original form throughout its operating life, with later technological additions—including surround sound—being less visually disruptive than a major architectural rebuild. The early business encountered severe economic conditions. The Great Depression began shortly after opening, and Irish and Louisa Rivalin supplied further loans to sustain the operation. When Irish decided that he could not continue lending money, the other Northern Theatre Co. partners faced the alternatives of closing or selling their interests. They elected to keep the theatre open and sold their portions to Irish, who was the majority investor and the largest creditor. Following service in the Air Force during the Second World War, Irish's son Paul Rivalin helped run the theatre with his wife, Margaret. The couple later purchased it from Irish and Louisa in the 1960s. A major lobby intervention followed in the mid-1960s, when the engineering department of the T. Eaton Company from Toronto created a permanent concession area. The renovation removed two rental units adjoining the lobby but strengthened the building's capacity to operate as a modern cinema while retaining its historic auditorium. In the early 1970s, Paul and Margaret's son, August "Gus" Rivalin, became manager. He first managed the business as a partner and bought it from his parents in 1974. During his tenure, the Lido adopted automated 35-millimetre projection equipment. Gus expanded the business beyond theatrical exhibition in 1983 by establishing The Lido Video in the lobby. He later purchased the neighbouring former Bank of Toronto and Dominion Bank of Canada building to support the video operation. The rental business grew to three locations over the next 17 years, and in 1997 Gus opened Saturn Video in Flin Flon. August Rivalin II acquired the properties from Gus in late 2003. The theatre was progressively updated between 2003 and 2019 with digital sound and projection equipment. These changes allowed the venue to present contemporary films while preserving its distinctive historic setting. Renovation work commenced in early 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused the theatre to close. It did not resume normal operations afterward. In 2023, the Lido was described as being at risk of permanent closure. On April 8, 2024, a fire destroyed the building. The destruction brought to an end the operational history of a rare Canadian atmospheric theatre that had remained in substantially original form for nearly a century.
- 2024
Building destroyed by fire
[1]A fire destroyed the Lido Theatre on April 8, ending the venue's operation in its original building.
- 2020
Renovations interrupted by COVID-19
[1]Renovations began early in the year, but the pandemic led to the theatre's closure.
- 2019
Digital projection and sound modernization completed
[1]The theatre's modernization program included state-of-the-art digital sound and projection equipment installed between 2003 and 2019.
- 2003
August Rivalin II takes ownership
[1]August Rivalin II purchased the properties from his father late in the year.
- 1997
Saturn Video opens in Flin Flon
[1]Gus Rivalin opened Saturn Video, described as the largest video store in Manitoba outside Winnipeg at the time.
- 1983
The Lido Video launches
[1]A home-video rental operation opened in the theatre lobby and later expanded into additional locations.
- 1974
August "Gus" Rivalin acquires the theatre
[1]Gus Rivalin purchased the business from his parents after serving as its manager and partner.
- 1965
Lobby and concession renovation
[1]The lobby was renovated to incorporate a permanent concession area, removing two adjacent rental units.
- 1960
Rivalin family ownership continues
[1]Paul and Margaret Rivalin formally purchased the theatre from Irish and Louisa Rivalin during the 1960s.
- 1930
Public operation begins
[1]The newly built theatre opened to the public in early 1930.
Products and positioning
A locally operated community cinema distinguished by its atmospheric architectural design, long family ownership, early sound-film history, and preservation of its original form.
Movie theatre · 1929
Cinema exhibition
The Lido's principal offering was motion-picture exhibition in an atmospheric auditorium. It began as a venue designed specifically for sound films, initially using film projection and later adopting automated 35-millimetre equipment before transitioning to digital projection and sound. The theatre's historic interior and long operation in the original building were important parts of the visitor experience.
Cinema food and beverage · 1960
Concessions
A permanent concession area was incorporated into the lobby during a mid-1960s renovation. It enabled the theatre to sell treats and beverages as part of its standard cinema operation while adapting the historic venue to contemporary moviegoing expectations.
Home-video rental · 1983
The Lido Video
The Lido Video was a home-video rental business launched in the theatre lobby in 1983. It expanded into the neighbouring former bank building and eventually operated at three locations over the following 17 years, extending the Lido's entertainment business beyond theatrical film exhibition.
Brand decisions
2020
Renovation and pandemic closureStrategyBackground
The theatre began renovation work as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cinemas and public venues.
Action taken
Renovations were started, but the venue closed during the pandemic and did not return to regular operation.
Aftermath
By 2023, the theatre's continued survival was uncertain, and the building was destroyed by fire in 2024.
2003
Transfer of family ownershipOtherBackground
The theatre remained a family-operated property across successive Rivalin generations.
Action taken
August Rivalin II purchased the properties from Gus Rivalin late in 2003.
Aftermath
The new ownership period included a long modernization program for digital sound and projection.
1983
Expansion into home-video rentalStrategyBackground
The theatre's owner pursued an additional entertainment business alongside cinema exhibition.
Action taken
Gus Rivalin opened The Lido Video in the theatre lobby and later expanded it into neighbouring and additional premises.
Aftermath
The video operation grew to three locations and supported further expansion into Flin Flon through Saturn Video.
1965
Permanent concession integrationStrategyBackground
The historic cinema needed a dedicated modern concession area for selling treats to patrons.
Action taken
The lobby was renovated by the T. Eaton Company engineering department, with two adjoining rental units removed.
Aftermath
The building gained a permanent concession function while retaining its atmospheric auditorium.
1929
Launch of a purpose-built sound-film theatreProduct launchBackground
The Lido was developed during the arrival of talking pictures and was designed specifically for movies with sound, while retaining secondary capacity for travelling stage shows.
Action taken
The Northern Theatre Co. Ltd. opened the atmospheric cinema in The Pas in late 1929.
Aftermath
The venue became an early western Canadian sound-film theatre and continued operating in its original form for almost a century.
Recent events
- 2024
Lido Theatre destroyed by fire[1]
Other
A fire destroyed the historic theatre on April 8, 2024, ending its operation in the original building.
- 2023
Historic Lido Theatre faces possible permanent closure[1]
Other
The theatre's continued closure and uncertain operating prospects placed its future at risk.
- 2020
Lido Theatre begins renovations before pandemic closure[1]
Other
Renovation work began at the theatre in early 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted operations and the venue subsequently remained closed.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/lido-theatre · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled