For 100 years, the movie theatre in Trenton (Quinte West) has been a place to gather, escape, and share stories together.
This week, Film.ca Centre Cinemas celebrated both their first anniversary and the 100th anniversary of the theatre, which was constructed and opened in 1926.
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(Screen shot – Film.ca Centre Cinemas)
Jake Jackman is the manager of Centre Cinemas and spoke to Quinte News about the significance of the site.
“You could definitely make a case that it is the most significant historical building that we have in Trenton or Quinte West, especially when we can trace it back to the usage in the first Canadian major motion production which was Carry on Sergeant.”
Jackman says the site was not just important for entertainment, but information.
“During World War II, the theatre was the place you went to get your information. You’d head to the local theatre and you’d get your information on loved ones that were there, what’s happening during the war, and get your updates, as well as war drives.”
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A photo of downtown Trenton. The movie theatre was known as the Odeon Theatre between 1953 and 1962. (Photo: submitted to Quinte News)
They have now celebrated their first anniversary under the Film.ca Centre Cinemas banner.
“To maintain that local theatre feel, all of us that work there and operate Centre Cinemas in downtown Trenton, we’re all locals. We’re from the area, like myself, I grew up going to Centre Theatre and it was a big part of my childhood.”
(Screen shot – Film.ca Centre Cinemas)
