The Mayfair Cinema has partnered with O-NET to host an Olympic viewing party on Aug. 18, when hometown hero Danielle Lappage competes in 63-kilogram freestyle women's wrestling. Wrestling coverage starts at 7 a.m.
The Mayfair Cinema has partnered with O-NET to host an Olympic viewing party on Aug. 18, when hometown hero Danielle Lappage competes in 63-kilogram freestyle women's wrestling.
Wrestling coverage starts at 7 a.m. and theatre doors will be opened half an hour before. Admission is free. The Mayfair has a seating capacity of 245.
O-NET's Nathan Kusiek said Mayfair owner Louise Craig approached him a month ago about the possibility of hosting a public screening.
"She was the first person to come to me and say, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event for Olds, probably. How many Olympians are we going to have? So we need to celebrate it. So she came to me with the idea and I loved it," Kusiek said.
The theatre's concession stand will be operating. As well, food will be served by Tedd's Food Mart. Proceeds from food sales as well as any donations are going toward creating a new wrestling award in Lappage's name at Olds High School, Kusiek said.
He adds they are planning for Lappage to reach the gold medal match. If there's overflow from the theatre, the plan is to have big-screen TVs on site for people to watch outside.
He said there were discussions on closing part of 50 Avenue in front of Mayfair if needed to allow people to celebrate. However, the Town of Olds could not be reached for confirmation by press time.
The schedule for women's 63-kg freestyle goes quickly.
Qualifications start at 7 a.m., followed by the round of 16 at 7:30 a.m.
The quarterfinals start at 8 a.m. and semis at 8:40 a.m.
The bronze medal match takes place at 2:30 p.m. and the gold at 2:50 p.m.
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