The Vernon Towne Theatre sign is lit up in neon orange on a September evening.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Vernon Towne Theatre

Most old movie theatres in North America have shut down over the decades and been replaced by modern multiplexes but there are still a few of the relics operating in the Okanagan, Kamloops and surrounding areas.

Classic theatres are beloved institutions that hold memories for generations and often turn into hubs hosting community art and film events. 

One of the oldest ones in the Okanagan is the Vernon Towne Theatre in the city’s downtown. Located at 2910 30 Avenue, this theatre originally opened as a dance hall in 1929 before it was converted to a cinema in 1938.

Initially the theatre was called Capitol Theatre and the venue has had numerous different operators over its lifetime. Today it is a community hub offering numerous arts events and film screenings.

The Paramount Theatre marquee in Kamloops glows bright on a March evening.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Tourism Kamloops/ Dylan Sherrard

The Paramount Theatre in Kamloops first opened its doors in 1955 and is the oldest operating theatre in the city. Located at 503 Victoria Street, it was a thousand-seat single auditorium cinema until 1979 when the space was made into two cinemas, one with 480 seats and one with 280. Today, it still looks similar to what it did decades ago with the same marquee and original seats, and is the venue for regular community film events.

Establish in 1959, The Roxy in Revelstoke is an art-deco style theatre that offers regular movie screenings with one to choose from at a time. Located downtown at 115 MacKenzie Avenue, this theatre is lit up with a bright pink neon sign and continues to be a beloved fixture in the town.

The Roxy theatre in Kamloops is open for business on a late fall afternoon.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

The historic Salmar Classic Theatre in Salmon Arm is operated by the non-profit Salmar Community Association. The association formed in 1946 to construct an arena in honor of local veterans of the second world war. The movie theatre was built to raise funds for the project and opened in 1949.

Located at 360 Alexander Street NE, today the Salmar Classic screens off-release movies, concerts and films from around the world on its 25-foot-wide big screen TV.

In the South Okanagan, the Oliver Theatre has been operating since 1947. Located at 6387 Main Street, the venue has changed ownership several times over the years yet has remained a significant part of the community with lots of fun, cheap movie screenings available throughout the year.

Did we miss a cool classic theatre in your neck of the woods? Tell us about it at news@infonews.ca.

The historic Salmar Classic Theatre is pictured in September.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

The Oliver Theatre in Oliver is captured in this retro, undated photograph.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Oliver Theatre

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