The Aurora Cinema is located at 107 1 Street East in Meadow Lake. (screenshot/Google Map)

By Kenneth Cheung

NO ENCORE

Final credits to roll for Aurora Cinemas in Meadow Lake this August

Jun 11, 2025 | 4:13 PM

Meadow Lake’s only movie theatre is set to close permanently this August, with Magic Lantern Theatres confirming the decision comes after years of financial losses and too few tickets sold to keep the reels turning.

In a public statement, the Edmonton-based company announced Aurora Cinemas will close as of Aug. 22 with its final day of movie screenings and concession sales scheduled for Aug. 21.

The cinema is part of Magic Lantern Theatres, a Canadian movie theatre chain that operates locations across Western Canada, including Capitol Theatre in North Battleford, Duggan Cinemas in Camrose, Alta., and Center Cinema in Dawson Creek, B.C.

“We are grateful to the Meadow Lake community for your support over the years. It has been our privilege to provide movie entertainment in this area,” the company stated.

In a phone interview, Magic Lantern owner Tom Hutchinson said the location simply wasn’t drawing the attendance needed to sustain a corporate theatre model.

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“Unlike a mom and pop operation, we have a number of employees that do various things that do not work in Meadow Lake, and the Meadow Lake cinema does not generate enough income to make its contribution,” he said.

“To cut to the chase, not enough people go to the movies each week.”

Hutchinson said the company typically expects attendance to be 150 per cent of historical figures for a location to be viable.

For example, he said, “if you have 10 people attending the show tonight, we would require at least 15.”

“If you have 100 people in a week that go to the movie theatre, 150 per cent of that would be 150 people.”

But Meadow Lake hasn’t reached that number, even after five years of operation and recovery efforts following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re very sad that it didn’t get greater community support,” he said. “The closing means we have lost a lot of money there and that’s too bad. But hey, it’s business and what happens is what happens.”

Magic Lantern does not own the Aurora Cinemas building, and Hutchinson said the future of the site will be up to the landlord. Still, he believes the community could support a theatre again — perhaps under a different model.

“I think Meadow Lake would probably do well as an owner-operated business,” he said.

As the cinema industry continues to face challenges from digital streaming and shifting audience habits, Hutchinson said it’s a difficult time for all local media.

“People are now able to see movies without going to the theatre… on their computers, people can get their news without listening to the radio station or watching the TV station.”

Until it closes, Aurora Cinemas will continue screening films and offering full concession services. The company is encouraging patrons to redeem any outstanding gift cards or movie passes before the final day of operations.

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com