Donations aid Aron's bottom line
Community helps coop theatre strengthen its finances
Thanks to $74,600 in donations from local residents last year the Aron Theatre Coop is in good financial shape, says General Manager Russ Christianson.
“Our financial situation is much stronger because we got donations of bonds” and other donations, he says.
Those donations helped turn an operating loss of $34,609 into a net income of $42,685 for 2025, Christianson says.
The coop theatre will hold its 14th annual general meeting on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. and will get a financial update from Christianson. He encourages members and non-members to come hear about what’s happening.
While operating revenue declined last year to $191,034, down from $194,872 in 2024, the theatre made some financial moves that put it on stronger footing.
When community members helped finance the purchase of the theatre 15 years ago and its opening as a cooperative, they held $133,000 in bonds that paid annual interest. The bondholders were owed $57,00O in interest, plus the bonds. Over the past year the theatre persuaded many of those bondholders to donate what they were owed to the organization.
The Aron turned to the Community Foundation of Campbellford/Seymour and Northumberland for a $138,000 mortgage.
“It helps the balance sheet because we don’t have that debt and that interest from that debt hanging over us,” Christianson says. “Now we’ve got a very reasonable mortgage with the community foundation, and we did that very consciously. We didn’t do it with a financial institution, because we want the community to maintain the assets. So, if something does go wrong with the theatre, the assets will go to the mortgage holder, which is a community foundation. That’s kind of a nice backstop.”
In 2025, as operating revenue declined by about $4,000, operating expenses were $141,088, up from $135,784, resulting in a net operating loss of $34,609 in 2025, up $14,583 or 72 per cent from $20,026 in 2024.
”Our cash flow is okay, and that’s always important for any kind of business, not-for-profit or for-profit,” Christianson says. “It’s not like we’re having any trouble paying the bills, but for the theatre to really thrive, We need people to leave the couch and come to the theatre.”
The theatre was hammered by COVID, which forced it to close for 18 months. Viewing habits changed with the growth of streaming services and getting people back into the building remains a challenge.
“I think people are coming out a bit more than they did say a year or two ago, so that’s good. But we’re still up against, you know, mammoth competition with streaming services and that’s challenging.”
But the theatre is busier than ever. It offers Hollywood movies Fridays to Tuesdays and has either movies, concerts or events most Wednesdays and Thursdays. He notes that the Aron is operated largely by volunteers who are stretched to fill all the spots.
“Our fundraiser on May 7 featuring local musicians Ken Tizzard and Music for Goats with Matthew Holtby, raised $1,325 for the theatre,” Christianson said in an email to members.
Ticket prices remain the best bargain in town with adult members paying $8 and senior members paying just $6.
Christianson says the theatre is reluctant to raise prices because it knows many people are on tight budgets and the movie companies take a large chunk of any ticket fee. If you really want to support the theatre, buy a popcorn and drink, that money flows straight to the coop.
Christianson sees the Aron as an antidote to the widespread feelings of isolation and loneliness that many people feel.
“The main thing is for people to just come out and have some fun, forget about their troubles and socialize with other people,” he says.
You can read all Trent Hills News stories on my website here.
I didn’t realize this little theatre was such a special community effort—and a cooperative, too. It was so lovely to hear how the community came together years ago to support this initiative.