Overview

Auditorium in 2011

The 600-seat theatre opened in late February 1930 with The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)  starring Conrad Nagel. At the time it was promoted as Manitoba’s Finest Atmospheric Theatre.

The theatre was designed for Auguste “Irish” Rivalin’s company Northern Theatres Limited by Winnipeg architect Max Zev Blankstein in the Atmospheric style with a Mediterranean courtyard theme, and was built by contractor John George Hartmier of Roblin, at a cost of about $43,000. According to the Manitoba Historical Society Archives , interior work, furnishings, and equipment raised the total cost to about $105,000.

According to the Manitoba Historical Society  the Lido was the first theatre in Western Canada designed specifically for movies with sound.

The theatre closed in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was subsequently acquired by the local authority in November 2023 via a taxation sale.

The theatre was destroyed by fire  in the early hours of 8th April 2024. A preliminary investigation determined the caused to be arson. The fire destroyed decades of historical artifacts, memorabilia, and documents, including the original blueprints. A day after the fire, The Pas Mayor Andre Murphy said the building was expected to be a total loss.