An effort in 1984 to preserve the theatre prior to its conversion to a four screen multiplex fell short.

The current effort to restore the Colonial Theatre is led by the Colonial Cultural Arts Center, Inc.

There is a related effort to restore the Laconia Gardens theatre, which is directly across the street from the Colonial Theatre.
Click here for several photos of downtown Laconia before urban renewal. Some of the photos show the Marquees of the two theatres.

Below are links to articles that describe the current restoration efforts.

Laconia Citizen Article, October 14, 2007: Laconia Eyes Reviving Downtown Theater

Laconia Citizen Article, December 11, 2007: Council Sets Up Fund for Arts Center

Laconia Citizen Article, February 14, 2008: Study to Test Arts Center Potential

Laconia Citizen Article, February 15, 2008: Performing Arts in the City?

Laconia Citizen Editorial, February 15, 2008: A Cultural Opportunity Worth Pursuing

The Laconia Daily Sun, February 15, 2008: Performing Arts Center Could Be Economic Dynamo

Laconia Citizen Article, Wednesday, July 16, 2008: Performing arts effort refocusing

The Laconia Daily Sun, August 4, 2008: Consultant's cautious optimism for Colonial Cultural Arts Center not shared by committee

(To download Laconia Daily Sun articles, click on "Find a Past Issue", open the year folder, then open the month folder. Notice the files are numbered by the day of the month. Locate the day wanted, then copy the file to your local computer's hard drive, then open the file.

Posters from the Laconia Gardens theater, 1953



Photo of Laconia Gardens theatre, 1954



Colonial Theatre, 1920's.