I can remember the day that everything changed with the trajectory of that building.
It was Wednesday morning, August 27, 2014. It was a very warm morning, just like the day earlier was for my family and I. You see, my mom got us three brothers together and we drove down to the boat launch at Danielson Provincial Park, where her longtime friend Butch was waiting with his boat. The plan for the day was to go out on Lake Diefenbaker, enjoy the scenery, do some fishing, and then head back to Butch's in Macrorie for a barbecue.
This was set up because August 26 of 2014 marked a year since my dad had passed away. So, in Mom's view, we had to do something enjoyable as a family. And we did, it was a great day!
I bring that up because the lasting effects of that day stayed with me. And by 'stayed with me', I mean that I got a wicked sunburn. Hey, I'm Irish and Scottish. We don't tan - we burn. So, my neck was flaring red, as was parts of my face.
Any way, that next day on the morning of the 27th, I followed my mom over to the remote and abandoned hamlet of Bounty. As soon as I stepped out of my SUV, my late aunt Lois came up to me and pointed out how red my face was. "My God, Derek, you're burnt to a crisp!" Oh yes, Aunt Lois, I know!
Why were we in Bounty? Because on that day, the age-old hall was set to be unearthed from its longtime home, hoisted and chained up, and carefully transported over to the town of Outlook. My mom and I, along with Lois and my uncle Dale, watched as the men worked to get the hall ready for transport. After a while, it was time to go. I let my mom go ahead because I wanted to be behind the convoy in order to capture it with my camera.
Man, what a sight. Watching this cherished building be moved from its original home en route to its new one was really something cool to see. It had to be monumental for the likes of people like my mom and my aunt and uncle. After all, they were the generation who enjoyed the Bounty Theatre in its heyday and helped establish its storied history with epic weekend dance nights and lively concerts.
I can remember standing over on Railway Avenue here in town and watching as the hall was carefully maneuvered onto the property where it sits today, nestled in beside the Outlook & District Heritage Museum. Perfect spot. If you're looking to re-establish an old building that carries with it a whole lot of local history, where else are you going to put it except beside the local museum?
Unfortunately, after the hall was moved over here to town, it felt like as if it was then largely abandoned. There were a few dedicated people who put time in to cleaning things up and making it look more aesthetically pleasing, but as far as any kind of a future for the building? It just didn't look like it was in the cards at that time.
I'm very happy to say that today, that's very much no longer the case.
The grand reopening of the Bounty Theatre was enjoyed by a crowd of over 200 last May, serving as the kick-off event to the 2023 Prairie Festival in Outlook. I can't begin to tell you how incredible it was to see that event be the success that it was that evening. Family, friends, and old familiar faces from Conquest, Dinsmore, Milden, Wiseton, Macrorie, Swanson, Ardath, and then everyone else in between who were in attendance to witness history take place as the ole girl was open once again.
My uncle Dale and my aunt Shirley served as the first performers to take the stage at the Bounty Theatre since July of 2000. Man, I'm telling you, Dale was in his element and he really, really enjoyed himself. So much so that later that night, after a few, ahem, 'refreshments', you could see the emotion in his face and in his voice as he talked about how great it was to be back on that stage.
When we fast-forward to just under a year later to today, I'm even happier to proudly talk about how far the hall has come in the past 11 months since that grand event was held last May.
My friend Kate, who works as the museum manager, gave me a walkthrough of what's been happening inside the theatre this past Sunday evening. I walked in and my jaw nearly hit the floor. Well, I should say that it nearly hit the refurbished floor. That, along with new lighting, new electrical, new plumbing, new tables and chairs, and even a new kitchenette area on top of the two newly-installed washrooms. It was so great to witness this venue entering into the new modern age and taking its rightful place alongside other town venues such as the Civic Centre, the Legion Hall, and the Heritage Centre as venues available for people and organizations to rent for their own events.
I also had a sad realization, as I was reminded that while the Bounty Theatre has been brought back to new life with brand new fixtures and features, too many of the people who deserved to see this for themselves are no longer with us. My mom Lynda, my dad Jack, my aunt Hazel and uncle Keith, my uncle Lloyd and aunt Verna, my aunt Lois, and many others have passed on before they could see what kind of incredible work and dedication has been done with the facility.
But, like I mentioned above, they were also some of the people who helped establish the hall in its heyday, adding to its legend with all sorts of wild nights and crazy parties filled with music, dancing, and fueled by what would equate to a whole river of alcohol. They were the people who established the Bounty Theatre, and now, it's up to the generations of today to keep its story going.
It'll be interesting to see what stories will be told.
For this week, that's been the Ruttle Report.
