A proposal to bring a youth-run movie theatre to Ladysmith is rolling after being granted $200,000 by the Community Action Initiative.
Project Reel Life, spearheaded by six local youths, proposes renovating underutilized space at Ladysmith Secondary School and turning it into a community movie theatre.
The youths were notified that their application for funding had been approved on Friday afternoon (Dec. 2). They were, for the most part, understandably speechless.
“It’s for real,” said project member Kaylie McKinley.
“The work has just begun,” added Paul Billas.
Sam Corrington, project co-ordinator with the resources centre, said the community has been very supportive of the project thus far, but the clout of funds will help bring in hard numbers on some of the cost estimates, such as building supplies, theatre supplies, and more.
“We have two years to get it up and running,” Corrington said, noting a time limit on the grant money.
“We realize that if we want the LSS construction classes to do the work, it’s going to take time because it’s going to have to be worked into their scheduling and planning for their courses.”
Now that the funding for the project has been secured, the group must establish a location for the theatre.
In their proposal, the youths identified the old electronics building at LSS as a prime location; however, they will be exploring all options with the school board and the community.
“Ideally, it will be at the high school,” said Billas.
The grant money will allow funds for a project manager with the right management skill set to help the youths take the project from proposal to up-and-running.
“It gives us a fantastic starting point. It’s not 100 per cent of everything we need, but it definitely gets us there,” said Corrington. “Once we secure a space, that will tell us our budget for renovations, what kind of projector we need and what seating we’re going to need, etc.”
Corrington said she is currently developing a job description and hopes to have a posting up by the end of the year. The ideal candidate will be passionate, committed, have experience working with youth, experience in business management and working knowledge of the theatre industry.
“It’s going to have to be a very special person,” she said. “Someone who really can follow the lead of the students who came up with this idea to begin with.”
The Community Action Initiative provides funding for groups and organizations to support cross-sectoral activities and projects that improve the mental health of children and youth and reduce harms related to substance use.
“The CAI really wants to fund these types of programs,” Corrington said, referring to Project Reel Life.
Members of Project Reel Life are also submitting an application this week for a Coast Capital Savings grant for up to an additional $30,000, and they are hoping a grant application to the United Way will help absorb some more of the anticipated costs.
Ladysmith was given its first taste of Project Reel Life during a community presentation of two youth business proposals in September.
The students, ranging in age from 13 to 25, worked on their business proposals with the assistance of a $10,000 grant through the Ladysmith Resources Centre. Business mentors within the community were also brought in to lend their expertise, but the project has been very much youth-led.
As Project Reel Life becomes a reality, members will be issuing a casting call to other youth, local business persons and other persons with valuable skills and knowledge to lend a helping hand to the project.
“We’re really needing this to be, as it’s been so far, a concerted community effort,” said Corrington.
To get involved or for further information, contact Sam Corrington at 250-245-3079.
