The building was built by Leslie 'Snow' Kenna in 1942 and closed, as a theatre, in 1984 and now operates as the Alice Springs YHA.

from 1928 - 1964 Aboriginal people were only allowed into the "town-limits" during daylight hours for medical attention, and only to attend "the pictures" in the evenings.

In winter, when minus temperatures are reached, people brought blankets, hot water bottles and flasks of coffee.

This was, however, short lived, and in 1986 the Theatre was threatened with demolition but, following intervention from the National Trust of Australia (Northern Territory), and the YHA's interest in buying the property in 1988 it was saved.

[2] It is one of the few surviving World War II era buildings remaining in Alice Springs and it is believed to be the last known example of its kind in the Northern Territory.