The Merritt Community Cinema Society's proposal to build a not-for-profit movie theatre in downtown Merritt is nearly ready to seek funding from various sources, including local donors.

According to a presentation from society president Kurt Christopherson to the City of Merritt council Sept. 20, the society's future fundraising efforts will hinge on whether or not it receives charitable status from the provincial government.

Christopherson told the council that the society's board of directors had devised a detailed business plan placing the cost of building a four-screen theatre at about $5 million. Of that total, the society hopes $500,000 can be raised in the community.

"We don't want any municipal financial support," he stressed.

However, Christopherson requested a written letter of support from the City of Merritt that the society can include with provincial and federal grant applications.

"They always want to know, 'Is the city on board?'"

Based on the society's community research and business plan, devised by the board with help from a professional consultant, the demand for movies in Merritt is high enough to sustain a profit at the theatre.

Christopherson said, "Our vision for the community cinema is basically to create a consistent source of revenue to help out the local arts."

The Merritt Community Cinema Society falls under the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council's umbrella but is a separately registered non-profit society in its own right.

He explained that three downtown locations were under consideration but declined to give further details until the society's status is settled. The society hopes to build the theatre in a western style, matching other downtown buildings.

The society hopes the theatre will drive more nighttime business in central Merritt, where most shops and restaurants currently close by the early evening.

Christopherson told council that a preliminary meeting with downtown merchants resulted in commitments for $90,000 even though the society sought no funding at the meeting.

However, in an interview with the News Monday, he again stressed that the society will not accept any donations until it receives charitable status.

"We're just at the very beginning of trying to raise funds. When we start into our fundraising, we want to be able to issue tax receipts," he explained.

The society applied for charitable status from the province a couple of months ago but has yet to hear back, Christopherson said.

"We wait with bated breath, but that doesn't help at all."

He added that even if that status is granted, the current economic climate could make securing grants more difficult.

Nevertheless, the society will not request local public funding.

"We made that a priority of ours. I think taxpayers spoke out long ago that they want taxpayers' money put into infrastructure and not business deals. Any business is risky," Christopherson said.

Eventually, if audiences were strong enough, the society would use theatre profits to build a community arts centre.

"We hope to build people what they want so we can build them what they need," he told council.