Saving a Piece of the Past - The Jax/Popcorn Palace Theatre

A Message From The Bengough Municipal Arts Council

Dear Former Resident of Bengough and Community:

We are a Council located in the Town of Bengough for the purpose of bringing people into the Bengough Town and Community with events that are cultural and fine arts in nature. The reason the word “Municipal” was attached to our title name is because the infrastructure we plan to sustain is municipally owned. The BMAC plans to be totally self-funded, so we have not received any monies from the Municipalities, although they support our ideas.

The Bengough Municipal Arts Council is very excited about meeting our Mission Statement, and are currently applying for Non-Profit Status through the Provincial Government, and Charity Status through the Federal Government. Also, we have applied for a membership in the OSAC which will allow us to hold programmed events on the Saskatchewan Arts Council circuit.

Do you remember sitting in the Jax/Popcorn Palace in Bengough and waiting for a show to begin? Eating popcorn, with drink in hand, and feeling the anticipation of a new story being unfolded before your eyes?

Our first project is the renovation and restoration of the Jax/Popcorn Palace Theatre. It has been discovered that the building is listed as having been erected in 1920. The reasons we have picked this building is its historic relationship with the community and former residents, plus the acoustics and theatrical arena will provide many programming possibilities. This will be a unique tourist attraction for the Community of Bengough, much like the Old Capital Theatre in Moose Jaw and the Gaiety Theatre in Gravelbourg.

We are currently soliciting donations from former residents of the Community. If you are interested in donating to this project we would greatly appreciate your input. All donations will be recognized as donated by a special wall plaque, and in the resident community newspaper The Deep South Star. These donations will be used for the sole purpose of restoration of the Theatre. The Rural Municipality of Bengough No. 40 has agreed to issue tax deductible receipts until such time as we are approved for Non-Profit and Charity Status. Donations may be made out to the Rural Municipality of Bengough No. 40 “In Trust for the BMAC”, and sent to the above address.

Our project goal is to have the building functional by July 1, 2005. This date will coincide with the 2005 Home Coming events that are currently being planned by another group of hard working volunteers. Also, the Bengough History Book Committee is working steadily to have the Community History Book released by this date.

Sincerely,
Steven King, Lynette Birg, Connie Frisk, Jana Lee Gillies,
Donna Morris, Evan Severson, Carol Cairns, and Holly Dahl