THUNDER BAY — Maple Tops Activity Centre is rebranding, with a nod to its historical name: The Paramount. The change will go deeper than the name though, they're also bringing the movie screen back into play.
James Mahon, the centre's general manager, said the rebranding aligns the business with the downtown waterfront entertainment district by continuing to offer the play centre for children and something in the evening for those over age 19.
"We want to offer movies and arcade games as a way for people to come and enjoy themselves while offering something fresh to the north side entertainment district," Mahon said. "Things are really happening up here, so we're trying to get in with everyone else. It's a very tight-knit community up here."
With the loss of Sweet North Bakery on the Court St. strip, Mahon said they want to provide businesses with another option for lunch as well.
The transformation will include the addition of a full kitchen, licensed bar and restaurant, sound and light system, arcade games, entertainment, movies and live theatre.
"We're trying to shift away from the children's only centre and shift towards fun for all ages," he said. "That means we'll be running the occasional nightlife, after-hours events for 19 plus."
Mahon said bringing back the cinematic component is important to the restructuring of the business in restoring the building's history. Both Badanai Theatre and Paramount Live will continue to provide live theatre productions for audiences.
Built in 1948, Mahon called The Paramount a "cornerstone" in the north core. It was converted to Wiggle and Giggles in 2001, and later into Maple Tops in 2017.
"My real goal with the rebranding is to showcase the history of the building from everyone who remembered it as a theatre in their youth, all the way to the present," he said.
When it was divided into two separate movie theatres, Mahon said it was "very innovative for the time," having possibly been one of the earliest cineplexes.
The original projector remains in the old projection booth, which is also the new home of a new 4K cinema projection system.
"That old, genuine projector is still up there in all of its multi-thousands of pounds of glory," he said. "It's a beautiful historic piece of machinery that I wish we could have out on display."
Antiquated but perfectly functional theatre seating remains in its original placement in the second-floor theatre.
Mahon said the Paramount has applied to the city for funding for the facade improvements, lighting, sound, kitchen, and projection equipment through the Downtown Improvement Grant Program.
The grand opening of the rebranded Paramount will take place this Saturday with live music from Mood Indigo Jazz band, clowning performances, four movies throughout the day and live entertainment into the evening.
The Chronicle Journal / Local Journalism Initiative
