Latest news with #SWTLyceumTheatre
Hamilton Spectator
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
SWT Lyceum Theatre celebrates grand re-opening and honours long-time volunteers
The SWT Lyceum Theatre recently recognized its long-time volunteers and held a grand re-opening celebration, complete with a BBQ and a movie. On July 10, the theatre had a great turnout for the event, which included volunteer night recognition awards. The rain cleared up just in time, and the Gull Lake event started at 5:30 p.m. According to Cole Girodat, manager of the SWT Lyceum Theatre, the renovations were finally complete, and it was time to recognize those involved and put on a celebration. The evening began with people mingling and enjoying the concession inside, as well as a special event bar. A BBQ helped kick off the night, with nearly 180 of the 200 donated hot dogs sold, courtesy of InCyte Environmental. Cole Girodat noted that there was a great turnout at the theatre, with many people attending from out of town, despite the earlier rain. The grand re-opening project began about three years ago, with planning and fundraising taking place in 2022 and 2023, and renovations completed in 2024. These much-needed upgrades are the first major improvements to the theatre since the 1970s and include accessible bathrooms, a revamped lobby, and a new concession area. The theatre's management wanted to express their gratitude to their sponsors, including Curtis and Luke from Dawg House Woodworks in Hazlet, who transformed the facility. Other sponsors included InCyte Environmental, which sponsored the BBQ, Blended Souls Coffee and Boutique, which sponsored the volunteer appreciation and donated trophies, and SWT, which sponsored the mini fridge door prize. Trophy Towne provided the engraving for the awards. Girodat mentioned that the theatre, built in 1911 as a privately-run building, has been community-owned since 1978, with volunteers playing a vital role in its operation from the beginning. 'We are hosting this event to celebrate the completion of our renovations, but more importantly, to celebrate you,' Girodat told the crowd. 'We couldn't host these events without your community support.' He noted that while many individuals have donated their time over the years, the awards focused on those who have retired since he started in 2019. Awards were presented to several long-time volunteers, including Blake Campbell, who served 17 years on the board of directors, Deanna Service, who served 23 years on the board of directors, Phyllis Steele, a 23-year volunteer, and the Penner and White families, who have volunteered for 35 years. The evening also included an announcement that this year would be Cole's last as manager, as he steps down after six years. He reminded the audience that the theatre is always looking for new volunteers and encouraged people to share their memories and stories about the theatre. He also noted that the Lyceum Theatre is a licensed charity and relies on community support to continue serving future generations. The night wrapped up with a showing of the classic film 'The Goonies,' which attracted a lot of kids and helped bring in the next generation of theatre-goers. As the movie says, 'this is our time.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
SWT Lyceum Theatre hosted National Film Day with free Canadian movies
April brought National Film Day to Southwest Saskatchewan, and Gull Lake's theatre continued the tradition of showcasing Canadian-made movies. This year, the non-profit theatre brought a variety of Canadian films to the area, including some that may not have been widely seen. The four films featured on National Film Day, held on Wednesday, April 16, were 'Maurice Richard: The Rocket', 'Fireheart', 'It Feeds', and 'Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe'. Although Cole Girodat, the manager of the SWT Lyceum Theatre, didn't have a chance to see the movies himself due to his duties at the theatre, he said, 'It was great that people came out to enjoy the day and enjoy Canadian-made movies.' After struggling in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the theatre has seen a recent increase in attendance, with more people wanting to experience a traditional movie-going experience. The SWT Lyceum Theatre typically receives new movie releases about a month after they hit the big screen, but National Film Day included an exclusive release of 'It Feeds'. Girodat stated that the theatre aims to showcase a variety of films. One of the movies featured a familiar face to Southwest residents: Craig Baird, a famous Canadian podcaster and former Gull Lake resident, who was also a former member of the Gull Lake theatre board. Baird was interviewed in the 'Mr. Dressup' documentary, discussing the impact of Mr. Dressup on Canadian society. Baird is also a former columnist for The Shaunavon Standard. Although attendance for the 'Mr. Dressup' documentary was not as high as Girodat had hoped, the Gull Lake school brought students from grades 2-8 to see the cartoon 'Fireheart', with approximately 130 students in the audience. While the films were free to the public, supporting the theatre's food concession helps fund the venue. When asked about popular concession items, Girodat mentioned that popcorn - who some people have described as the best in southwest Saskatchewan - Live Wires candy, cherry Coke, and three types of Saskatchewan-made beef jerky, as go-to treats for many local theatre patrons. Girodat noted that it's heartening to see an increase in attendance at the SWT Lyceum Theatre, a place where people can still come together to enjoy a variety of movies and experience the traditional magic of the cinema, despite the rise of modern technology.
