The Kamloops Lodge #44 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks was founded in 1920 with a mission to provide leadership and serve the local community. Over the years, the Elks contributed significant funding toward civic improvements like upgrading Riverside Park, supporting music groups, and assisting the sick and elderly. They also played a key role in Kamloops’ social scene, organizing popular events such as dances, concerts, and vaudeville performances.

To support its growing list of activities, the Elks constructed a new lodge building in 1927. It included club quarters, a billiard room, a lounge, a banquet hall, an auditorium, and seven residential suites on the top floor. Notably, it was the first building in Kamloops designed in the Spanish-American architectural style, sparking a design trend throughout the city.

The auditorium quickly became a cultural hub. It featured the second-largest stage in the province and seated up to 1,000 people. It hosted everything from travelling shows and musicals to community dances. In 1930, the auditorium was transformed into the Rex Theatre, a state-of-the-art cinema that introduced Kamloops to its first “talkies.” Outfitted with the latest New York projection equipment and design, the Rex became a go-to venue for entertainment in the city.

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