A group representing more than 200 community members is drafting a business plan to purchase the Mayfair movie theatre in order to continue the historic building’s use as a cinema.
The group, called Friends of the Mayfair, has not yet approached the building’s owner, Steven Ng, but intends to bring its plan to him in the near future.
Ng, who has owned the building for more than 30 years, has heard proposals from developers to tear the building down, but none from anyone intending to preserve the building as a theatre.
“The business of the theatre is no longer viable economically,” said Kenneth Johnson, Ng’s lawyer. “It’s not feasible to continue the building as it is.”
On Tuesday morning, the City of Ottawa’s planning and environment committee voted to bring to city council a proposal to make the Mayfair an official heritage site.
If the Mayfair becomes a heritage site, it would force any potential buyer to preserve the building’s exterior and interior walls, as well as its stage area.
The interior walls’ unique architecture makes the Mayfair one of only a few “atmospheric” theatres left in the country that still show films.
Atmospheric theatres are designed to” give the theatre-goer the sensation of being transported to another time and place,” according to a report prepared for the committee.
Coun. Clive Doucet supports both the designation of heritage status, especially since the Mayfair, which has been open since 1932, is the last original, independent theatre in Ottawa.
Other old theatres “have all been lost . . .” said Doucet. “The Mayfair is the only one we have left.”
Doucet also supports the community members’ business plan, which involves the possibility of using the Mayfair for concerts, lectures and live theatre as well as for screening films.
Earlier reports claiming the theatre was in need of extensive renovations are “misinformation,” says Mary Martel-Cantelon, a representative of Friends of the Mayfair. “It’s not necessary that any parts of the building be altered at this point,” said Martel-Cantelon.
Johnson says Ng would be receptive to a proposal to keep films playing at the Mayfair, but only if whoever purchases it has the necessary funds.
“I guess it remains to be seen whether somebody can come forward with a proposal and have the resources to carry it out,” said Johnson. “If they don’t, I think we’re going to end up with just an ugly building sitting there vacant.