While Ed and I were out on a secret cinema mission, it made me think about a local mystery. For as long as I've been going to the Gibsons Cinema, I've heard two completely contradictory things about the building: that it was absolutely designed by Arthur Erickson, one of Canada's greatest architects — and that it absolutely wasn't.

In this episode, I ring up Geoffrey Erickson and find out the truth. Geoffrey is a designer with Studio Erickson, and he’s Arthur’s nephew.

Thanks to Allie and the team at the Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives for their excellent database and even more excellent help.

Thanks to Max Henry for the podcast’s original music.

Find and follow our Instagram account for the soon-to-be-ours Gibsons Cinema here.

Find Ed’s fishing charter at Angler Management.

Find the show at secretsunshine.ca

Secret Sunshine is produced by Dominic Girard at Handover Media.

Something big is happening on the Sunshine Coast. The Gibsons Cinema — a community fixture since 1963 — has new owners.

And I’m one of them!

In this episode, I sit down with my two co-owners and friends, Steve Tannock and Ed Anderson, and share the story of why we’re buying the cinema, and tease what we plan to do with it.

What we get into:

• How this started with Dominic calling Ed’s bluff.

• Why all three owners bring very different backgrounds — IT, software engineering, media, and theatre — and why that might actually work

• The months-long process of getting the deal done, including the moments they were sure it wasn't going to happen

• Ed's mantra that kept them going: keep going until you can't

• What a "third space" means for a small town, and why the Gibsons Cinema has always been one

• Hinting at the renovation plan

• A promise of much more to come.

About the new owners:

• Dominic Girard — host of Secret Sunshine, 20-year media and podcasting veteran, incoming General Manager of the cinema

• Steve Tannock — cinephile, former projectionist, current software and AI leader at Telus, and self-described lover of big bets

• Ed Anderson — former IT entrepreneur turned fishing charter operator (Angler Management), and the one who got all this started.

The Gibsons Cinema takes new ownership on April 29th. Stay tuned.

Get in touch!

We are rebuilding a cinema-first space that welcomes community engagement. What are your hopes and dreams for our tiny but mighty independent cinema? What questions do you have about the business of running a theatre? Send us an email at gibsonscinema@handover.fm.

Special thanks to Vivian and Tony, the current owners, for trusting us to build on their legacy. Thanks to Max Henry, as always, for the original theme music of this podcast.

Learn more about the show at secretsunshine.ca

In this season finale of Secret Sunshine, meet Ed Hill. He's a retired RCMP Staff Sergeant, artist, curler, canoeist, auctioneer, emcee, community builder, and larger-than-life personality.

But after nearly four decades in Gibsons, Ed and his wife Joy are preparing to leave.

From saving someone's life on his first night in town, to founding one of the world's top outrigger canoe races, to becoming an activist artist after retiring from the RCMP, Ed's story will teach you something about what happens when passion meets community spirit.

Find Ed Hill’s artwork at Edhillart.com. And find his home’s listing at realtor.ca.

As ever, thanks to Nico at Nico Coastal Homes for sponsoring this season. If you’re in the market to hit the market, give Nico a call - she’s among the very best realtors on the Sunshine Coast. Find her at nicolearnett.ca.

Find me at secretsunshine.ca, and on Instagram at dom_ideas.

Looking to sponsor next season of the show?

Shoot me an email at secretsponsor@handovermedia.fm and we’ll make a deal. Thanks very much for your support!

Secret Sunshine is produced by Dominic Girard at Handover Media. Original music is from Max Henry.

The podcast will take a little winter break. See you again sometime in Spring.