Brett Thoms
Fort-Coulonge June 9, 2022
The Lyn Cinema in Fort-Coulonge officially reopened June 9 after being closed since 2014.
Jane Toller, warden of the MRC Pontiac announced she had purchased the theatre earlier this year.
Toller dedicated the opening ceremony of the theatre to the Doyle family, who owned and operated the theatre since 1953.
“The Lyn Theatre was a major part of the Doyle family for most of our lives, ‘’ said Frank Doyle in his speech during the opening.
“From its beginnings in 1953, we lived and . . .
worked in the theatre well into our adulthood. We swept the floors, placed the candy bars, put up posters, changed the lettering on the marquee and projected the films.”
Doyle’s speech emphasized how important the Lyn was to him and family and discussed his long history with the business.
For example, this isn’t the first time the Lyn Theatre had to be reopened according to Doyle. He reopened it with his wife Marie in 1986 after it had been closed for 8 years. At the time of that reopening, the theatre played Rambo II.
Doyle also reminisced about the projectionist known as Zeller, who’s name people would shout out when something went wrong with the projector.
In concluding his remarks, Doyle thanked Jane Toller, and praised her entrepreneurship.
Doyle wasn’t the only person to praise Toller’s entrepreneurship at the opening. Pontic MP Sophie Chatel also touched on the same note.
“Some people say it might not be the best time to get into the cinema business, but Jane Toller is not a normal entrepreneur, she is a Bryson, ‘’ said Chatel.
She further went on to underline the sentimental importance for the community to have a movie theatre in their area.
“This isn’t about dollars and cents for her, ‘’ said Chatel “This is personal, this is about family, this is about legacy, It’s about community. It’s about local kids knowing the smell of buttered popcorn and the community having a place for entertainment and young ones having a place to have their first kiss. I had my first in a movie theatre.”
Chatel eluded to the hard economic times after the closure of the Portage-du-Fort Mill which caused local businesses like the Lyn to close. However now Chatel sees that trend turning around, with the Pontiac going through a “renaissance”.
“A renaissance does not happen by magic or by chance, it takes leadership, it takes vision, it takes cleverness, hard work and perseverance,” said Chatel, in reference to Toller.
Chatel wasn’t the only one to heap praise on Toller for reopening the theatre, with both the mayors of Mansfield-et-Pontefract and Fort-Coulonge joining in.
However Toller redirected the focus towards the Doyle family.
“This evening is not a tribute to me, it is a tribute to the Doyle family.”
A video was also played which went into some of the history of the Doyle family, and included pictures of the family in the theatre.
During her remarks, Toller went into detail about the renovations the theatre underwent.
Currently the theatre has 135 seats, has been equipped with 13 speakers and a 12 by 21 foot stage. The theatre was also renovated to be wheelchair accessible. The projector for the theatre cost $32,000 and was found at a discount, as they usually would run about $200,000 according to Toller.
Despite the renovations, Toller said she felt it was important to retain as much of the original look as possible.
Toller also discussed the business model for the theatre.
“We hope to be in the position that we have two movies a night on Friday and Saturday, one on Sunday and one on Monday, and Monday will be the cheap night,” said Toller. “Tuesday, Wednesday. Thursday the theatre will be reserved for live events. Could be live theatre, could be live events, could be comedians, or puppet shows. I am hoping for theatre in French in particular because we already have the Pontiac Community Players in Shawville.”
She also hopes that she’ll be able to have four students on staff every night when open.
Toller said she was warned about the business sense of opening the theatre, however she was confident that it was the right choice.
“I have every positive thought that this is going to be a well used place,” said Toller. “One of the things people who come here from the city are looking for is amenities. They are looking for culture and this will be a place of culture.”
As an example of this Toller plans to use the Lyn Cinema as a venue for a film festival and a movie club.
Toller concluded by stating that a portion of ticket sales will go towards the Pontiac Aqua gym, which Toller long has been an advocate for.
Toller had planned to show the movie Spider-Man: No Way Home, but due to a technical issue she had to postpone the showing. She opened the theatre to the general public on Friday with two showings of Jurassic World Domination, with one in French and one in English.
“Every little bit helps and this is a big bit,” said Mayor of Fort-Coulonge Christine Francoeur about what the theatre meant for her community. “It’s not only going to bring in people from Coulonge and Mansfield but all of the Pontiac.”
