Regina's Rainbow Cinemas Golden Mile set to close
A beloved discount movie theatre is closing in south Regina.
Rainbow Cinemas Golden Mile will have its final screenings on Sept. 25 according to the Magic Lantern Theatres, the company that owns Rainbow Cinemas.
"The pandemic has changed many things and we will have to wait another decade to understand exactly what it changed," said Magic Lantern President Tom Hutchinson in an email to CTV News. "The lease is up and the social conditions that gave rise to the cinema have ceased to exist."
The theatre opened in April 1998 and offered Regina residents daily matinee and evening shows, at a lower price compared to other theatres. When Rainbow Cinemas came to Regina, its largest competitor was Blockbuster, according to Hutchinson.
"You could see a movie at Rainbow for less than the rental at Blockbuster," Hutchinson said.
Rainbow Cinemas was largely connected to the local film industry. It would premiere locally produced films and even hosted the Regina International Film Festival (RIFFA) awards from Aug. 9 to 13.
RIFFA vice chair Philip Charrier thanked the cinema for its two and a half decades of service to the community
“Rainbow Cinemas played a central role in the local film community,” he said in a statement to CTV News. “We are deeply saddened by its closing and the loss of this resource for Regina and area residents.”
Hutchinson said the growth of online streaming platforms has kept people away from the theatre.
“It’s had a devastating effect. Movies are no longer special, they are just another TV show now," Hutchinson said.
The theatre continues to offer its regular showings in the meantime.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike
Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week.
Canada's homicide rate down in most provinces, with 2 exceptions
The homicide rate is declining in Canada, and the country’s three largest cities all saw double-digit percentage decreases in homicides per capita, according to data released this week.
Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the upcoming fall economic statement on Monday will remove the cap that currently restricts Canadian pension funds from owning more than 30 per cent of the voting shares of a Canadian entity.
'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves
Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance.
Is a white Christmas in the cards? Looking back at Canada's Dec. 25 snow history
With fewer than two weeks remaining until Christmas Day, weather forecasts and snowfall projections are starting to take shape but have yet to be finalized for cities across Canada.
'Little girl deserves justice': Gallery erupts in anger as charges stayed against driver who killed child
In a tense courtroom, a judge stayed the charge against a Saskatoon woman who hit and killed a nine-year-old girl.
Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings
It's unclear if it's drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward.
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time.
Vader case: What it's like to watch a parole hearing if you're the son of homicide victims
On the other side of the planet, Bret McCann, whose parents went missing and died in the 2010s, sat anxiously as the man convicted in their deaths pleaded for parole.