District of Mission councillors approved a one-time contribution of $75,000 at a closed meeting earlier this month in order to forestall the potential closure of the Clarke Theatre, Mayor Randy Hawes said at Monday's council meeting.
Hawes said budgetary pressures at the school board, which operates the theatre, had put the theatre's operations in doubt.
"Without this, there's every possibility that the school board would have to padlock the facility and there would be no use by the community of that facility," Hawes said.
"As a council, every one of us felt we could not allow that to happen.
Hawes said the money is for one year only, during which a review will be undertaken. Hawes said a formal agreement with the school board will be signed before any more financial commitments are made.