Columbia Theatre - 2/ Warren
New Westminster, B.C.
530 Columbia St.
 
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Columbia Theatre, c.1928. Image courtesy Vancouver Public Library, public domain.
 
The Columbia Theatre opened in 1927. It was an atmospheric style seating 900+ patrons. According to Russ Hawryzki posting to cinematreasures.com, the "auditorium walls were decorated as a garden wall enlivened with grilled windows, hanging planters, wrought iron lanterns."
 
The PSTOS Bill Bunch/Eugene Nye records list a two-manual Warren organ for the Columbia Theatre, install date unspecified. This instrument is not found in the Organ Historical Society database or in the Junchen opus lists. Current status of this instrument is unknown.
 

Columbia Theatre auditorium, c.1928. Organ console music rack is visable at the bottom. Image courtesy Vancouver Public Library, public domain.
 

Columbia St. c.1960s. Glimpse of the Columbia Theatre marquee on left.
 
According to the Columbia Theatre website, "in 1976, Famous Players 'twinned' The Columbia by adding a second level and screen. The alterations concealed some atmospheric qualities and many other architectural features. The lobby of The Columbia was completely renovated and the stores on either side of the entrance were removed at this time. The movie theatre closed in the mid-1980's."
 
"The Fraternal Order of Eagles bought the building in 1987. The lower cinema became a banquet hall, with catering facilities installed in the backstage area and fly tower while the upper cinema was converted into a lounge."
 
"The City of New Westminster purchased the Columbia in 2000 and leased it to the Raymond Burr Performing Arts Society until 2006, during which time the theatre came to be known as The Burr Theatre."
 
"The theatre remained closed for a few years until it was sold through a public Request for Proposal process in 2010. The new owners spent over a year to turn it into a cabaret style theatre and the home of LaffLines Comedy Club."
 

Columbia Theatre entrance, c.2011. Image courtesy Columbia Theatre.
 

Columbia Theatre refurbished stage, c.2011. Image courtesy Columbia Theatre.