The Grand Theatre hopes to win a Canada-wide competition to repair historic site in Indian Head
For more than a century, residents of Indian Head, Sask., and nearby neighbours have gathered at The Grand Theatre to enjoy everything from silent films and vaudeville acts to modern blockbusters, live performances and community events.
Built as an opera house in 1904 by Arthur James Osment using bricks made by a prominent Métis family from the Qu'Appelle Valley, the building needs repairs to keep it safe and accessible.
Lisa Horsman, chair of the theatre's board, says it's a huge economic driver for the community located about 70 kilometres east of Regina, bringing business to local stores and restaurants.
"It brings people from all over, at least an 80-kilometre radius to our town, which of course drives the economy and our town," Horsman said. "But more than that. It's really been an important piece of our history. The building has huge roots for the Métis Nation in the area."
The search to come up with money for the repairs led the board to Next Great Save, a Canada-wide competition that provides an opportunity for communities to win money to protect their historic buildings.
Horsman says preserving the building means repairing its flooring and making it wheelchair accessible.
"There's a huge step into the washrooms and stalls that a wheelchair couldn't access even if it wanted to. There's also no place in the theatre to park and sit in a wheelchair," she said.
"It's just not safe or accessible and that's not acceptable."
Horsman feels a personal attachment to the theatre.
"Once you become involved with the theatre, it really steals a piece of your heart," she said.
"There are so many things that I've done here with my family, with my classroom at school. I lead the local drama club at the elementary school. We have our productions here, so there's just so much a part of me here and so much a part of the community here.
"My big hope for this place is that my grandchildren will get to enjoy it the way their grandparents did."
Megan McEwan, a member of the board, says the theatre has been community owned since 2014.
"The Grand Theatre is so special to our community," she said. "It really holds the stories of how our community has gotten to be where it is today.
"To preserve our heritage buildings, is to preserve the stories of what makes a community unique. This is where a lot of people had their first dates, this is where many teenagers had their first job. For myself, as a parent, this is where my kids saw their first movie …"
The closing day for voting in the competition at the Next Great Save website is April 17.
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