Calgary's Uptown theatre to suspend events

The Uptown movie theatre screens will be fading to black in Calgary this weekend after a dispute with the landlord over heating and maintenance.

'To the extent that we play a role in anyone's life in this community then our closure will, I think, be something of a loss to the city.' Uptown co-owner Blake O'Brien

Since 1993, the theatre has featured independent films and live performances at the Marquee Room.

But current co-owner Blake O'Brientold CBC Newshe's had it with inadequate heat and maintenance issues that have plagued the theatre over the last few years. He said people often complain.

"We've limped through last winter and we just had to make the call. It's just too difficult you know trying to keep patrons happy and warm," he said.

O'Brien said the theatre will have its last showing on Sunday.

He said a lawsuit against the landlord has been launched in hopes of restoring "regular programming, and thus continuing with a Calgary arts institution."

"To the extent that we play a role in anyone's life in this community then our closure will, I think, be something of a loss to the city," he said.

The landlord, Strategic Equities, said the matter is before the courts and had nothing else to say.