Manitou Opera House

History

The present Manitou Opera House was built in the summer of 1930. A fire on January 16, 1930 had destroyed the previous building. During the Opening Ceremonies for the new building, held on Friday, December 10th, 1930, a minute of silence remembered the fireman, Robert A. J. Brown, who had died while fighting the fire.

The new building was built on the foundation of the previous one by Blackburn Construction at a cost of $15,000. Funds for the building project were raised through insurance on the previous building, through donation, and though the issuing of debentures.

Reeve F. W. McIntosh, speaking at the opening ceremonies for the Opera House “congratulated the citizens of Manitou on their courage and enterprise in erecting such a splendid building.” He noted that such public buildings reflect the character of the community.

Since 1930, the Opera House has served the community well, hosting dances, meetings of local organizations, concerts, and celebrations.

Photo Gallery

Location

Physical Location:

325 Main Street, Manitou, MB

If you are traveling to Manitou for a concert:

From Brandon, follow #10 south of Brandon south to #2 highway; travel east on #2 until you reach #244 at Rathwell. Turn south on #244 to Manitou.
From Winnipeg, follow # 2 south-west of Winnipeg, until you reach #244 at Rathwell. Turn south on #244 to Manitou.

From Winnipeg, follow #3 south-west of Winnipeg to Manitou.

Contact Information

Address:

Manitou Opera House
325 Main Street
Manitou MB R0G 1G0
Canada

Phone:

204-242-3160

Contacts:

Richard J. Klassen: Management Chair / Lighting
Ph: 204-825-8406
Email:

Al Thorleifson: Treasurer
Ph: 204-242-2794
Email:

Thor Thorleifson: Foundation Chair
Ph: 204-242-3284
Email:

Bill Howatt: Sound Technician | Ph: 204-242-2531 | Email:

Management Committee & Foundation

Owned by the Town of Manitou, the Opera House is managed by the Opera House Management Committee, a group of community volunteers.

Management Committee Executive:

Chair: Richard J. Klassen
825-2475

Treasurer: Al Thorleifson
242-2794

Secretary: Garry Young
242-2371

Members:
Dale Dobson
242-2607

Walter Mueller
242-2188

Thor Thorleifson
242-3284

Laurie Simpson
242-2746

The Manitou Opera House Foundation was incorporated in 1995 to raise funds and to encourage volunteers to help in the restoration and improvement of the Manitou Opera House.

The foundation's executive would welcome anyone who would like to assist with any of the projects undertaken by or on behalf of the foundation for the enhancement of this historic building.

Board of Directors

President: Thor Thorleifson
242 3284

Vice President: Bill Howatt
242 2531

Bookings/Member: Walter Mueller
242 2188

Secretary/Treasurer: Laurie Simpson
242 2746

Secretary: Al Thorleifson
242 2794
Email:

Technical Advisor: Garry Young
242 2359

Member: Richard J. Klassen
825 2475

Foundation Projects

Since Manitou's Centennial was celebrated, the Opera House Foundation has completed several projects. They include the curtain project, the round table project, the geothermal heating project, the electrical upgrade, the fire code upgrade, creation of a theatre lighting system, refinishing of the auditorium floor, creation of dressing room space in the 'long room' in the basement, and the repair and upgrade of the exterior of the building. The Green Room upgrade was completed by one of the stakeholder groups - Oak Valley Productions. As well, through the work of another stakeholder group, The Borderline Singers, the Opera House now has an excellent grand piano on the stage.

In the longer term, the Foundation is considering plans for an addition to the Opera House which will provide disability access to all levels of the building, washroom facilities at the performance level, and a serving kitchenette at the performance level, as well.

Donation to the Foundation

We would like to invite you to donate to the work of the Foundation. All donations are welcome and tax-deductible.

If you claim a donation on your income tax, as much as 46% of that donation is returned to you as a tax credit.

Donations elicit both federal and provincial tax credits, and they add up to 46% for any donations in excess of $200 per year (200+ in total donations to all charities per person, and one person can claim all donations by his or her family to maximize the credit).

They are tax credits, not tax deductions, thus they are equally valuable to anyone regardless of income level/tax rate. They are not deductions, so they do not affect other income-tested credits like Child Tax Benefit, GST credit, and seniors' Guaranteed Income Supplement.

If you would like to make a donation, please print out the following form, fill it out, and send it to:

Laurie Simpson, Treasurer
Manitou Opera House Foundation
Box 321
Manitou MB R0G 1G0