A recent announcement by a federal agency that it will contribute to a project renovating the more than century-old Kineto Theater in Forest should get the community’s Kiwanis Club $47,000 closer to its $1.5-million fundraising goal.
The service club has owned and operated the movie house in Forest’s downtown since 1977 where it shows films several days a week and hosts live performances on its stage. The theater dates back to 1917.
“The Kineto Theater is the Kiwanis’ pride and joy, and I think it also holds that position in the community,” said Sandy Burkhart, president of the Kiwanis Club of Forest.
“He really plays an important role. It brings in visitors from all over Lambton County and beyond, and we hope it continues to do that for the next 100-plus year,” she said.
The service club launched a significant renovation project in 2019, just before the pandemic arrived.
“We were lucky because a lot of places were totally shut down,” Burkhart said. “But we were able to continue with the renovations.”
The club also continued fundraising and chasing grants during the pandemic and it arranged for a loan to allow it to complete the work while funds are still being raised.
The recent funding announced by Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, plus an Infrastructure Canada Community Culture grant details are still be worked out for, are expected to leave the club with less than $100,000 to raise.
“They’ve been just generous beyond belief,” Burkhart said about the community.
“We have been improving that theater since the Kiwanis bought it in 1977, and without the support of the Kiwanis volunteers and the community we would never have reached this point,” she said.
“We are continuing to fundraise, of course. . . we are almost there.”
The project’s interior renovations have been completed. They included updating a kitchen, community room, washroom and accessibility in the basement, as well as the lobby, concession area, washrooms and accessibility on the main level.
The recent government funding will help with the cost of a new marquee and finishing off the exterior of the building.
The new marquee is expected to be installed in late fall, allowing other work on the façade to move ahead.
Attendance at the theater is returning now that pandemic restrictions have eased, Burkhart said.
“We’ve had at least three sold out movies just in the last few weeks,” she said.
And the renovations have been a hit with the public.
“They just absolutely love it,” she said. “We’re seeing more people who have never been to the theatre.”
An upcoming fundraising concert, Aug. 6, 7:30 pm, at the theater features the Forest Pioneers, Meg & Ally, and Just Gavin. Tickets are available online at kineto.ca.