Feb. 29: Virden's Auditotium Theatre opened; WestJet touched down; Tolstoi Hotel closed.

February 29, 1912 - Virden's Auditorium Theatre opened. The 500-seat opera house was designed by W. A. Elliott of Brandon and constructed by W. T. Manser of Virden at a cost $25,000. It boasted a professional-sized stage, steam heating and was lit with acetylene gas lamps

"The Aud" was part of a $33,000 municipal complex that also contained the telephone exchange, county court and town office.

For the opening, Mayor Bridgett brought guests, mainly businessmen and elected officials from around the region, on a tour of the complex then settled into the auditorium to hear speeches and watch the local drama club's production of “The Mysogonist.” (Virden also had an operatic society, created in October 1911.)

February 29, 1996 – Calgary-based airline WestJet Airlines began operations in five Western Canadian cities. The first flight to touch down in Winnipeg was a 737 from Edmonton with 30 people aboard.

February 29, 2008 -  Elsie Kolodzinski's Tolstoi Hotel closed.

© 2012, 2020 Christian Cassidy