Reston Recreation - Theatres

Following with the current theme of recreation, today's post looks at the movie theatres in Reston.  Live performances - musical and dramatic - have also occurred over the years in these same spaces. 

The first movies were shown in Reston in 1915 at a former warehouse by Alex (1879-1966) and George Greig (1886 -1979). They had an Imperial Oil and Fuel and draying business but the war years meant their warehouse was empty. They decided to make some money out their building so called it the Empire Theatre.  It stood at First Avenue and Fifth Street with a few planks on wooden crates for seats and a projector and they were able to charge 15 cents to view a silent movie. Ted Bushby (son of Louisa and Arthur) and Robert McKay (nephew of the Grieg brothers) took over the theatre in 1920. William Lockhart was next but he relocated the movies to the Manitoba Hall (later Berry Hall) on 4th Street in 1922 where Reston Drugs is today. His wife, the former Lauretta Maude Kendrick, played the gramophone for background sound during the silent movies. This hall was also home to live performances and dances. 

Breaking ground on the northeast corner of 3rd Ave & 4th St

In August of 1945, a public meeting was held to gauge interest in building a hall to honour the veterans of the wars. Fifteen citizens were appointed to what became the Memorial Hall Co. Ltd. under a returned WW2 veteran chair Russell Manning and local pharmacist secretary-treasurer Lyall McMorran. To this day, active community volunteers have worked hard to continue movies being shown and renting the facilities to other groups and individuals. Upkeep and modernization projects, like air conditioning this past summer, keep the building modern and in top shape. Community user groups have also taken on fundraiser projects to be able to buy special items.

Sod turning took place in April of 1947 and many volunteers repurposed the lumber from the old UGG elevator and built the Reston Memorial Theatre. The official opening was held on April 18, 1948. Smokey  starring Fred MacMurray was the first show. 
These wonderful old photos of the theatre were found on their Facebook page here.  Thank you! 

Vern Glass was hired to manage the theatre until he moved away in 1960.  A wood floor was installed in the basement in 1952 and it became a dance hall and social gathering spot.  Delwyn Bulloch and John Pearson were later projectionists, according to Trails Along the Pipestone (1981) where the majority of this information originated.  Delwyn ran the shows in the Melita Theatre for a time too.

The modernized marquee in the early 2000's with the soldier medallion reminds a passersby that it was indeed built as a Memorial Theatre. The walls are adorned with framed certificates with names of local soldiers who served in the wars and those who gave the supreme sacrifice. It is amazing to read all the names and I suggest you go early for a show to be able to do it. 

Digital projection and surround sound equipment was the next improvement in 2013-14 along with refinishing the beautiful wood floor and making the space more accessible.  Gray exterior paint replaced the mustard colour and the interior paint was refreshed. The building has seen so many uses - Christmas and talent concerts, dance and piano recitals, Santa shows, community drama productions, Remembrance Day Ceremonies and more.  One episode of the Season 3 of the CBC show Still Standing which aired in the summer of 2017 was filmed in the theatre.    

So many fond memories are held for so many in these walls.  We are proud to have it in Reston!