Chilliwack's last independent movie theatre has announced it is closing its doors. 

Pauline Lamb and Cathy Rayner as the mother and daughter duo who have owned and operated Cottonwood 4 Cinemas for 16 years. They posted a farewell message on their Facebook page on May 13, saying they are looking forward to retiring. They did not mention what may happen with the building, located on Luckakuck Way in Sardis. 

"To all of our lovely customers...The time has come to say 'Goodbye'!," they wrote. "For 16 years Pauline and Cathy have had the pleasure of seeing you at the movies and it has been an amazing time! But now it is time for our retirement....so, at the end of June we will be bringing the curtain down for the very last time." 

They expressed their thanks for their customers for their "support and patronage" throughout the years. 

And, they reminded customers who may have any gift certificates to bring them in before the theatre closes, and enjoy Cottonwood 4 one last time.

Cottonwood 4 Cinemas has been home to the Chilliwack Film Festival, and has run several fundraisers through the years. The building has four screens, hence the name. It opened in June 1995. 

There was public outcry when The Paramount closed its doors downtown Chilliwack in 2010. Landmark then sold the building to the city and it was demolished 2013, despite some grassroots efforts to try to save it. The site is now home to Chilliwack Community Services and an apartment building called The Paramount, which houses seniors and youth. 

The Hope Cinema also closed its doors recently, although it still opens on occasion for special events and film festivals. It has also been shuttered for lengths of time and then re-opened throughout the years by various owners. That theatre has played host to political events, wrestling matches, and special film events.