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Salmar sees upswing in use

Community: John Henderson retires after 28 years. The Salmar Community Association celebrated another year of giving back
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Salmar board: Gary Brooke

The Salmar Community Association celebrated another year of giving back to the community on Sept. 26.

Board president Patty Munro opened the meeting at the Salmon Arm Art Gallery with a reminder of the association’s purpose.

Looking at the movie industry overall, Munro pointed out that film companies have a great deal of control over where their movies are shown.

As well, years ago, the association could count on earning a good percentage of ticket sales.

“It’s so fluid now, you can’t predict what will happen. And, if you violate studio rules, you’re banished to an ice floe,” said Munro wryly.

Issues aside, Munro reported that between Oct. 1, 2014 and Sept. 30, 2015, the Salmar Classic and Grand theatres had a total of 109,000 admissions.

“That’s 9,000 admissions a month, which is quite a number when you consider you don’t always know what’s going to be shown,” she said.

“Salmon Arm is fantastic,” enthused general manager Daila Duford, taking the energy level up several notches. “This is the heartbeat of the community here, thanks to the board and to my amazing staff.”

Duford took the assembly through the top 10 movies of the year (see sidebar) and noted attendance at the Salmar Grand saw a five per cent increase to 106,310 film fans and an 11 per cent increase to 11,979 at the Classic.

Plans for a renovated concession at the Grand were shown and Duford later explained Salmar basically makes nothing from the tickets.

“That’s why the concession is so expensive,” she said, pointing out area residents are great about spending their money on popcorn, drinks and other treats.

Duford related a number of promotions and events and capped her report with a teaser on initial plans for a splashy Star Wars promotion this month.

Bruce Killick presented the association’s financial statements, which are unaudited but reviewed by Drew Lee-Hai & Associates Chartered Accountants.

Killick pointed out that net income from operations was up to $266,511, a substantial increase over last year’s $194,833, with expenses rising from 2014’s $108,345 to $117,179 as of Sept. 30, 2015.

The financial report contained a long list of the association’s grants, scholarships and community giving – including more than $3,000 worth of movie passes and nominal rent of both theatres for several community events.

Seven $2,000 scholarships were handed out in 2015 along with one $1,000 award of Excellence.

After 28 years of dedicated service to the board, John Henderson announced his retirement in a letter that described his time on the board as being more fun than  his terms with city council and school board.

Chelsea Kraft, deputy treasurer of financial services at the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, took a seat at the table.

The top 10 movies at the Salmar

1. Jurassic World

2. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies

3. Inside Out

4. Minions

5. Avengers Age of Ultron

6. Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1

7. American Sniper

8. Mission Impossible Rogue Nation

9. Ant Man

10. Furious 7