Penmar society dream down, but not out

PENTICTON – The Penmar Community Arts Society is not giving up on their dream to turn the former Penmar Theatre into a community arts centre.

Following the passing of a deadline last week for a Kickstarter funding campaign, Penmar Society President Kerri Milton says the group who owns the Penmar property needs to have the option to do something else with their property should they get an opportunity. She says they have supported the society for the past three years by allowing them a rent free existence while the society worked to complete renovations to the building.

Milton says should funding become available to complete the renovations, the group could reassume operation of the building. There’s also the potential for the society to purchase the building through a co-op organized to raise funds for the purchase.

She says if the group should lose Penmar, they will continue to look for another location suitable for a multi-purpose performing arts facility.

Milton says the society has received continuous community support since the Kickstarter campaign ended last week. The board is accepting applications for a variety of board positions. Those interested in receiving an application should email kerri@penmar.ca

The Penmar Community Arts Society holds their annual general meeting on Dec. 29 at noon at Cowork Penticton, 125 Eckhardt Ave.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.
Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

Steve Arstad's Stories