Partner Content iFrame wrapper (do not delete)

Neepawa’s Roxy Theatre has a rich history, beginning as an opera house over a century ago and evolving through various forms over the years. Since the late 1980s, it has operated as both a movie theatre and a performing arts venue, run almost entirely by volunteers. In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, the theatre underwent significant repairs and upgrades, including improvements in accessibility, particularly for patrons with hearing impairments.

The theatre currently offers two assistive devices upon request. One is a receiver with headphones that enhances dialogue by muting background noise and can also provide described audio alongside the film’s soundtrack. The other is a three-line closed captioning device that attaches to a seat and functions similarly to closed captioning on a television. According to Dale De’Ath, a member of the Neepawa Theatre Centre board, demand for these devices remains low, but he believes this is due to a lack of awareness about their availability.

When initially exploring assistive technology, the board considered Bluetooth-enabled devices, but at the time, very few hearing aids were Bluetooth-compatible. Now, in 2025, that landscape has changed, and De’Ath says the theatre is revisiting the option to integrate Bluetooth accessibility.

In today’s program, we also attended the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Rotor’s Bakery. The bakery relocated to the downtown area after extensively renovating a prime Neepawa retail space that had been vacant for several months. Many local officials were present to congratulate the family—who immigrated to Canada from the Philippines a few years ago—and sample the bakery’s offerings.

Rrain Prior – Local Journalism Initiative

00:00 Introduction
02:16 Accessibility and Inclusivity in the Theatre 
09:17 Grand Reopening and Ribbon Cutting at Rotor’s Bakery
19:40 Neepawa Titans vs Portage Terriers, Jan 11 highlights
28:42