Salmar Grand Theatre

The Salmar Grand Theatre is a movie theatre in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada, owned and operated by the Salmar Community Association. It is one of the very first non-profit groups in North America to run a first-run multiplex, and it channels all of its profits back into theatre improvements and community donations. The organization traces its roots to 1946, when the Association was formed to build an arena as a memorial to local World War II veterans. To raise the necessary funds, members decided to build a movie theatre instead, and the original Salmar Theatre — now known as the Salmar Classic — opened in May 1949. Revenue from the theatre helped construct the Salmon Arm Memorial Arena, which opened in 1958, and the Association continued to support the arena financially until 1972, when the District of Salmon Arm assumed its operations. In 1997, the Association built the Salmar Grand Cinemas, a four-screen multiplex that today presents first-run Hollywood movies. The Grand is the primary venue for the Association's current film programming, with multiple auditoriums and daily showings. The Association has also funded the new Legion building across from the Grand and has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local healthcare, education, sports, and arts groups, as well as playgrounds, fountains, trails, and scholarships. Memberships are available for a one-time $50 lifetime fee, granting voting rights at the annual general meeting and the opportunity to serve as a director. The theatre's website lists current and coming attractions, ticket prices, membership information, party bookings, and Metropolitan Opera screenings.

The Salmar Community Association was formed in 1946 with the purpose of constructing an arena as a memorial to local veterans of World War II. To raise the necessary funds, the Association decided to build a movie theatre. The brand new Salmar Theatre — later known as the Salmar Classic — opened for business in May 1949. Monies from theatre operations were used to construct the Salmon Arm Memorial Arena, which opened in 1958. The Association continued to provide financial support to the Arena until 1972, when operations were assumed by the District of Salmon Arm. In 1997, the Association built The Salmar Grand Cinemas, a four-plex that today brings first-run Hollywood movies to Salmon Arm. The Association describes itself as one of the very first non-profit groups in North America to operate a first-run multiplex. Throughout its history, the Association has put 100% of its profits back into theatre improvements and into the community. It built the new Legion building across from the Grand and has given out hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations to local people and groups to support healthcare, education, sports, and the arts. It has helped build playgrounds, fountains, trails, and has supported young people through scholarships. Membership is available for a $50 lifetime fee, which includes voting at the annual general meeting and the possibility of becoming a director.

• 1997

  Salmar Grand Cinemas four-plex built.

• 1972

  District of Salmon Arm assumes arena operations.

• 1958

  Salmon Arm Memorial Arena opens, funded by theatre revenues.

• 1949

  Salmar Theatre (later Salmar Classic) opens in May.

• 1946

  Salmar Community Association formed to build a memorial arena for WWII veterans.

Non-profit, community-owned first-run cinema that reinvests all profits into the theatre and local causes.

• First-run Hollywood movies

• Metropolitan Opera screenings

• Private party bookings

• Lifetime memberships

1. 1Salmar Theatres • Salmon Arm, BC • Now Playingsalmartheatre.com
2. 2Salmar Theatres • Salmon Arm, BC • Aboutsalmartheatre.com
3. 3Salmar Grand Theatre - Wikidatawikidata.org