Summary

• The Province is providing nearly $554,000 to support upgrades to the Civic Theatre in Nelson
• The upgrades include a new 70-seat theatre, improved washrooms, accessibility enhancements, and key equipment and furniture, while supporting local jobs, strengthening arts and tourism sectors
• The initiative is funded through the Province’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program 

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Upgrades to Nelson’s community theatre will provide space for larger events and performances while attracting more visitors to the region and creating new opportunities for local businesses to grow and hire more people.

Through the Government of British Columbia’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), the Province is providing nearly $554,000 to support the Nelson Civic Theatre Society’s work to modernize and expand Nelson’s Civic Theatre, improving a key cultural space that will bring more people to Nelson’s downtown.

“Arts and culture bring people together, strengthen communities and create opportunities for local families and businesses,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “By investing in spaces like the Civic Theatre, we are supporting good construction jobs, supporting the tourism and arts sectors, and creating places where people can enjoy shared experiences. These investments also help communities like Nelson welcome more visitors and support local economic growth. Through our Look West strategy, we are working with communities to create good opportunities for people and build stronger, more resilient local economies.”

Revitalizing Nelson’s Civic Theatre to better serve community and visitors

Upgrades include:

• new 70-seat theatre space
• improved washrooms
• an elevator (known as a lobby lift) to help people of all abilities enjoy performances
• key equipment, such as multiple screens
• furniture

“This investment is an important milestone for both our organization and our community,” said Eleanor Stacey, executive director, Nelson Civic Theatre Society. “The Civic Theatre has always been a gathering place, a cultural anchor and an economic driver for downtown Nelson. This funding helps us create a more accessible, welcoming and financially sustainable facility and strengthens our ability to support artists, attract screen-based production activity, host events and contribute to the vitality of the region’s tourism economy.”

The improvements will also help create good jobs during construction and ongoing operations, while strengthening the region’s growing arts and tourism sectors.

“Strong communities depend on gathering spaces where people can share stories, celebrate creativity and connect with one another,” said Janice Morrison, mayor of Nelson. “For generations, the Civic Theatre has played that role in Nelson, bringing residents and visitors together through shared cultural experiences. Support from the REDIP program helps strengthen the local economy, diversify cultural spaces and infrastructure, and ensuring this important community asset continues to serve residents for years to come.”

This work is part of the theatre’s broader multi-screen redevelopment, improving long-term viability, expanding public access and ensuring the Civic Theatre continues to be a vibrant hub for the community.

“The Nelson Civic Theatre is an important part of Nelson’s cultural landscape,” said Brittny Anderson, MLA for Kootenay Central. “This investment will support local jobs, expand opportunities for artists and organizations, and help bring the community together.”

Supporting economic diversification through REDIP

The Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program supports economic diversification, resilience, clean growth and infrastructure development in rural and First Nation communities in B.C.

Since 2022, the Province has invested $156.5 million through REDIP, supporting 525 initiatives throughout B.C. and creating an estimated 7,500 jobs in rural communities.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program and see the lists of approved projects, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/redip