Did you know that the OCAC is an organizer and supporter of events at the Venables Theatre? Volunteer opportunities abound! Click here for more information and upcoming events.

What’s in the name?

Ernest Charles “Frank” Venables (1899-1986) was born in Walsall, England. At the age of six he came to Canada with his parents and siblings. In 1918, while serving overseas in WW 1, he married Vera Martin. They came to Oliver in the early 1920s where Frank worked on the South Okanagan Lands Project. He established an orchard on 15 acres of land south of town. His community involvement in education and health were extensive and with that the high school auditorium was named after him. In 1954, he was the recipient of Oliver’s Good Citizen Award.

Sadly, the auditorium burned in 2011, but from the ashes, we have a beautiful new facility.