No decision yet on what to do with donations to failed Penticton community theatre effort

PENTICTON – The dream of a community theatre in the former Penmar Theatre building on Martin Street is no more, as the Penmar Community Arts Society plans further meetings to decide what to do with the donated money and assets.

Earlier this week, Encore Vineyards announced its purchase of the former Penmar Theatre property, after repeated fundraising efforts failed to garner adequate funds for the community theatre project to move forward.

Penmar Community Theatre Society president Kerri Milton says $70,000 raised in pledges through a crowdfunding website will not be debited from the donor's accounts, pointing out no money had yet changed hands.

Milton says members of the society will discuss what to do with the "actual monies" that have been donated in other fundraising efforts at a meeting scheduled 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. The location of the meeting has yet to be confirmed. She says in those cases, tax receipts were issued.

The society had already begun exploring other locations for a community theatre late last year after being told by the Penmar Theatre's ownership group of its intention to sell the property.

A media release from the Theatre Society urges members and supporters to "not jump to conclusions nor give up hope just yet," adding the board needs time to "properly assess steps and options for moving forward."

Find past stories on the Penmar Theatre here.

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