Calgary's historic Grand Theatre to close if sustainable business plan not found

The executive director of the society that operates Calgary's Grand Theatre said a feasibility plan was rejected by the building's landlord at the 11th hour, leaving the historic arts and culture hub to face an uncertain future. 

Erynn Lyster said the plan was focused on creating a sustainable financial future for the Grand Theatre, and centred on a resource-sharing agreement to bring theatre operations under the umbrella of Arts Commons. 

Lyster said they had been working on the proposal for the last two years and found out in January that the landlord of the Grand Theatre building, Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), was no longer in support. 

"We were really excited to share this with the community, this was a well-thought-out plan that was sustainable," said Lyster. 

"All parties were at the table, the terms seemed really amenable. We honestly thought we were putting the final touches on an agreement and instead our proposal was rejected at the last minute."

She added that, up until the plan was rejected, she was under the impression that Allied shared their long-term vision for the Grand Theatre. 

The Grand Theatre was sold to Allied in 2021. After a long search for the appropriate landlord, Lyster said the Grand Theatre Society felt comfortable selling to Allied because of their support for historic buildings. 

Lyster said the rejection might have been easier to accept if it had happened earlier on in the negotiations, while the society still had time to figure out a different financial strategy. 

"If there were other options to pursue we would have done them a year-and-a-half ago, we just feel like we're now at the 11th hour, with very limited options in front of us."

For now, the Grand Theatre Society will continue to act in good faith with Allied, said Lyster, while trying to come up with another solution to save the Calgary institution. 

Karen Ball is a long-time community leader and advocate for the arts in Calgary. She said cities need to prioritize spaces like the Grand Theatre in order for the arts to flourish.

"To see us lose a venue because there isn't a business model that supports its long term operation is heartbreaking," said Ball.

Built in 1912 as a vaudeville theatre, the Grand's space has been home to a variety of arts and artists over the years.

Pierre Gauthier was the general manager of the Grand Theatre from the 1960s to the beginning of the 1980s, when its specialty was cinema.