The historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Kamloops has a fresh new look, thanks to a community effort that brought together local businesses, volunteers and donors to transform its lobby.

The Kamloops Film Society (KFS) unveiled the refreshed space following a project supported by more than $15,000 in community donations, professional services, donated materials and hundreds of hours of hands-on work. The transformation began last fall with the Society’s Friends of Film fundraising campaign, which invited residents to help reimagine the lobby of the beloved downtown theatre.

Over two weeks, 12 KFS staff members and more than 20 community volunteers worked together to clean and paint every inch of the lobby by hand.

Interior designers Trish Becher and Laural-Lee Bonato of the Kelson Group donated their time and expertise to help guide the look and feel of the updated space. At the same time, several Kamloops businesses contributed materials, labour and professional services. Among the improvements are new flooring, tile, lighting and dedicated art rails that will allow the Society to showcase work by local artists, making the lobby a gathering space for the broader creative community as well as moviegoers.

One of the most distinctive additions is a restored 1908 hand-cranked film projector, now serving as a focal point of the lobby. The historic projector is on loan from Lance and Laura Brown. It was originally identified by longtime Kamloops projectionist Lou Tessier and restored by his son-in-law, Jeff Bell. The piece offers visitors a glimpse into cinema’s early history while celebrating the Paramount’s longstanding connection to film.

“The refreshed Paramount Theatre lobby is proof of what this community can do when it comes together,” KFS Executive Director Colette Abbott said in a press release.

“From our Friends of Film donors and the Kelson Group’s ongoing support, to the local businesses who donated time and materials, to the staff and volunteers who spent two weeks transforming this space by hand — this community showed up for us, and we are deeply grateful.”

The renovation was supported by contributions from Kelson Group, Kami Carpets, United Floors, Sherwin-Williams Paints, Aall Glass, Fibonacci Taping, Crawford Electric, Annette Dominik, Indigenous Resurgence Project and Brian Purvis, alongside KFS staff and community volunteers.

For a theatre that has been part of Kamloops since 1955, the refreshed lobby represents another chapter in its history.

The Kamloops Film Society has operated the Paramount since 2019, when the Kelson Group stepped in to help preserve the cinema after it was listed for sale. Since then, the Society has continued working to strengthen the venue as an accessible downtown cultural space, hosting independent, Canadian and international films, festivals and community programming throughout the year.

With its refreshed lobby, historic projector and new opportunities to showcase local art, the Paramount is ready to welcome moviegoers and community members into a space that reflects the people who helped bring it back to life.

Those interested in supporting future Kamloops Film Society improvement projects can contact the organization at support@thekfs.ca or 236-425-3456.