The bright lights and big screen at the Forest Kineto Theatre have once again gone dark.
Movie theatres across Ontario were forced to close earlier this month under the latest provincial pandemic restrictions.
Forest Kiwanis Member Ruth Illman talked about how the pandemic has impacted operations at the century old theatre.
"I need to probably say that it's just been devastating for all of us, as it is for every other business that's been impacted by the shutdowns and so on -- it's been a real roller coaster for us."
Illman said it's been extremely tough on volunteer club members who worked so hard on the recent renovation and expansion of the theatre.
"Things like this just hit you in the gut, and it's been tough on the spirits of our members, especially when we worked so hard last fall to try to bring things back and normalize things. By the time we got to November and December, we were busy almost every day."
Illman said the theatre provides good part-time jobs for area students, and that it's been almost two years now where young people in the community don't have that opportunity. She added that there's obviously no money coming in right now.
"There's no regular movies, no special events. We do an awful lot of rentals to the community, especially with our new renovations, so we're not getting any of that revenue and yet our expenses do continue."
Illman said on the bright side, the recent $1.4 million renovation and expansion went amazingly well. She said the Kiwanis Club is currently waiting to hear if they've been awarded an Infrastructure Canada grant before proceeding with the exterior.