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L-R Peter Kaz, Susan Hodgson, Donna Elliott and Susan Lehman (Kevin Rothwell/Vernon Matters Staff)
One-third of fundraising goal

Towne Cinema campaign gets $4,000 boost from DVA

Mar 17, 2021 | 1:48 PM

The Downtown Vernon Association (DVA) is paying more than lip service to keeping the Historic Towne Theatre as a part of the downtown landscape.

DVA Executive Director Susan Lehman and Marketing Director Peter Kaz presented Save Our Towne fundraising campaign co-chairs from the Okanagan Screen Arts Society (OSAS), Susan Hodgson and Donna Elliott, with a cheque for $4,000 on Tuesday (March 17).

“We love having this kind of money, because we can apply for a matching federal grant at the end of May and make this money go twice as far,” Hodgson said.

The Downtown Vernon Association donates $4,000 to efforts to re-open the Towne Cinema. (YouTube/Vernon Matters)

The donation establishes the DVA as a ‘founding member,’ one of several levels of recognition ranging from $20 to $10,000 established by the OSAS. The DVA and any other organization donating $4,000 will be permanently named in the lobby on a custom engraved vintage 35mm film reel, noting the business as a founding member of the society.

The group hopes to have $100,000 raised prior to the grant application, and is about one-third of the way to that goal, through a Go Fund Me campaign and community donations.

The group is also looking for in-kind donations to help with renovations that will include upgrading washrooms for those with mobility challenges, rebuilding the original live performing arts stage, renovations to the lobby, and a possible upgrade of the projection system.

OSAS hopes to have the renovations completed and the first screening in early June.

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