'The Sid Williams Theatre' first came to life under the name of 'The Gaiety Theatre' in the 1920's and, soon after, 'The Bickle Theatre' in the 1930's. Originally opened as a state-of-the-art sound movie theatre, the stage of the Bickle saw a number of plays and musical events before turning into an auction house.
On an early January morning in 1968, the Riverside Hotel at the corner of 5th Street and Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay burned down. This event was the turning point by which the citizens of the Comox Valley acquired a civic performing arts theatre.
After a great deal of fundraising, a land-swap involving Crown Zellerback, a generous donation by the E.W. Bickle family, and a lot of "blood, sweat, and tears" on the part of many individuals and groups in the community, the 'black hole that used to be the Riverside Hotel' got cleaned up. A fountain was built, the 'old Bickle' was renovated, and in September 1971 the new Civic Theatre and Civic Square were opened by Premier W.A.C. Bennett.
In honour of a much loved local actor & comedian, it was named the Sid Williams Civic Theatre in 1984. Sid Williams was born Frederick Sidney Williams on October 14th, 1908, in New Westminster. He arrived in the Comox Valley in 1921. Sid's earliest stage appearance was in a school production in 1922. This began a lifetime of theatre involvement. His tours with the Barkerville Players and as Century Sam; his many live appearances, both local and distant; his television work (on The Beachcombers, PharmaSave commercials, and a documentary for CBC's On the Road Again) brought him many honours. Sid also served continuously as Alderman for the City of Courtenay from 1942 to 1964.
Sid ran the Civic Theatre for many years as a one man tour-de-force, and rain or shine could be seen up a ladder every week changing the messages on the Theatre's Marquee. He passed away on September 26th, 1991.
The Sid Williams Civic Theatre has been serving the Comox Valley for over 20 years as a performing arts facility, and has had a professional administration since 1992.
In 1998, the Sid was closed for some much needed renovations. After a few seismic tests, the City of Courtenay extended the original 1 million dollar budget to an incredible 2.5 million.
The renovations have extended the lobby, added a concession, a large ticket centre, 'family' viewing seats, an 144 seat balcony, many needed washrooms, a huge amount of dressing room spaces, and much, much more.
Now in the new millennium, the citizens of the Comox Valley are welcoming with open arms, the new 'Sid Williams Civic Theatre'.
See you there.
Let the Shows begin!!
Much of the history as written above comes from 'History of the SWT' by Nancy More. Thank you!
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View from the Stage 
View from the Balcony
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Theatre Auditorium
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Wheelchair Platform
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Piano
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Lots of leg room!
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Lobby
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Bar / Concession
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Ticket Centre
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Main Dressing Room
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Various Photos
Original Plaza Fountain
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2007 Bursary Winners
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Red Robinson Walk of Fame Recipient
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Santa's visit to the Sid
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Romanza with young fan
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Haunted Theatre Tourist
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Brian Kruse
Seat Plaque Recipient
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Birthday party in the Lobby
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Laura & Robyn with the Mr. Lahey and Randy from the Trailer Park Boys
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New Year's Eve Party with Courtenay Little Theatre 2007
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Arron Pritchet with Fan
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Sherry & Deb greet Haunted Theatre Tourists
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