Landmark Cinemas President Brian McIntosh says were getting a new movie theatre whether it’s part of the proposed Northside Rec Centre or not.
“In 2014 we want to be under construction for a new 10 or 12-plex cinema on the northside of the bridge around the Thickwood/Timberlea area.”
Last night the Regional Recreation Corporation held an engagement sessions about the proposed facility and unveiled three designs.
All of them included a theatre, bowling alley and food court.
McIntosh acknowledges the current facility is out of date, he says it wasn’t built by Landmark it was an acquisition.
He says they are definitely going to open a new theatre in the north side of the city, but also improve the one downtown.
He says the theatre would rival options currently available in Edmonton and include VIP rooms and IMAX screens.
The RRC surveyed over 3000 people in February and 90% said they ‘strongly agree’ they’d use the facility.
CEO Tim Reid says mixing a theatre and rec centre just makes sense.
“Parking and land is limited in theis community,” he adds, “so if we can double up on the fact that this parking can service a recreation facility as well as a movie theatre or a bowling alley, we think there’s and opportunity.”
The designs are estimated to cost between $153 -$237 million.
Option 1 is more leisure-based.
Includes a rink meant for skating only, not hockey or sports. Also has youth/child areas.
Option 2 is similar to option 1, with a bigger aquatic centre.
Option 3 is the biggest facility, which includes basically every component that was suggested by people.
Reid says option 1 incorporates the region’s need, option 3 incorporates the wants and needs.
The local YMCA’s President and CEO Nick Parkinson says they’re looking at a partnership agreement.
“The reality is that if the northside does go forward, being a kilometre and a half a way, it’s going to significantly impact Westwood [YMCA], and probably have some significant impact on us.”
Today, Mac Island has almost 10,000 members and the YMCA comes in at 4,400.
There is an engagement session tonight at Ecole McTavish from 5PM-7PM.
MacDonald Island will host the remainder of them:
Sept. 28th from 1PM-3PM
Oct. 1st from 10AM-12PM.
OR CLICK HERE to have your say online, and to see the designs.
September 27th, 2013
