This is topic Saving The Odeon Drive-In! in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 03-23-2004, 07:24 PM:
 
After a long winter season of anticipation for opening night at Winnipeg's last remaining drive-in, I find out from one of my former managers that the drive-in won't be re-opening- and the move's for good.

The Odeon, built in 1964, would have celebrated its 40th year of operation. It held 998 cars, and in its hey day, use to run on weekends during the winter.

This was Winnipeg's last drive-in. Few remain in Manitoba. A company spokesman for Cineplex Galaxy confirmed the drive-in is closed permanently, due to lack of customers and finances to pay the bills. There are currently no plans to tear the theatre down.

I spent all of today alerting the local media and encouraging friends and family to drop a line to customerservice@cineplex.com to let them know what we thought. You can do the same (any Manitoban lurkers out there).

I will be in the newspaper tomorrow, and I'll post the article when its published online.

So, my question: How do you save the drive-in? Are there any drive-in organizations who will help you fight?

Thank-you and good night.
 

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Posted by Ron Lacheur (Member # 1126) on 03-23-2004, 08:40 PM:
 
I know what you mean. The last drive-in in BC, the Hillcrest closed for good this past September. They are building a mall in it's place.

Rumor has it that they are opening it up again in a different location, but nothing is in cement.

EDIT:

After posting this, I went and lurked on Bigscreenbiz.com and someone mentioned that apparently they are re-opening it as the " Twlight Drive-In ". Let's hope this happens.

[ 03-24-2004, 11:52 AM: Message edited by: Ron Lacheur ]
 

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Posted by Floyd Justin Newton (Member # 1316) on 03-24-2004, 07:35 AM:
 
How about $$$ and lots of it, or lack of it? It takes a lot of
money just to unlock the front gate every day.

fjn
 

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Posted by Jim Spohn (Member # 1547) on 03-24-2004, 10:31 AM:
 
Andrew.. Good luck on your endever!! ... Jim
 

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 03-24-2004, 04:13 PM:
 
The drive-in actually had a huge sewage lagoon behind it and new property laws coming into effect are forcing them to close, as the cost of hooking up to Headingley's or Winnipeg's sewage system or adding a septic tank would be way to prohibitive.

Guess I gotta start fund raising now!
 

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 03-24-2004, 08:20 PM:
 
A link cannot be posted as viewing the article online requires a subscription.

www.winnipegfreepress.com

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It's finally The End for city's last drive-in
Outdoor theatre misses 40th year

Wed Mar 24 2004

By Randall King and Trevor Wilhelm


PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
The Odeon Drive-In Theatre is following the fate of many outdoor screens.


Coming to the drive-in screen near you: nothing.
Cineplex Odeon confirmed yesterday that Winnipeg's last outdoor movie screen, the Odeon Drive-In, built in 1964 just west of the city's perimeter, will not open for its 40th year of operation.
Pat Marshall, Cineplex Odeon's vice-president of communications, said the reasons for the closure are similar to those that have killed most drive-ins across North America.

"They take up a huge amount of real estate and cost a great deal to operate," she says. "The maintenance costs have become prohibitive. As they get older, they're even harder to maintain."

Marshall, a former Winnipegger now based in Toronto, says she is as sad as anyone about the demise of the drive-in, which was invented in the '30s and boomed in the '50s, '60s and '70s before falling on hard times in the '80s.

"Drive-ins were a part of my childhood as they were for a lot of us prior to the advent of these entertainment destinations we have now," she says. "It's been declining over the years in terms of attendance because of the mega-plexes."

Typically, market surveys suggest younger people aren't as inclined to go to the drive-in as their parents. But that was not the case with 16-year-old St. Paul's High School student Andrew McCrae, who learned about the drive-in's closure when he phoned Cineplex-Odeon to inquire about getting a summer job there. McCrae, from Elie, remembers seeing his "very first movie" at the Odeon nine years ago: Casper.

"It was very, very neat," he says.

McCrae was doubly disappointed. If he didn't get a job at the theatre, he was still planning to patronize it.

"I just got my driver's licence this year and I was looking forward to going," he says, adding that many of his friends are equally surprised about the closure. "I started telling a lot of my friends from school, and everyone I told couldn't believe it."

McCrae says he and his father commuted daily past the Odeon. "Every time we passed it, my dad would say, 'That's not going to be there much longer.' But when I told him it was closing, he said, 'I'm shocked.'"

The Odeon, capable of parking 998 vehicles, had a good run. It had a monopoly on the local drive-in market for the last 19 years after the demolition of the Starlite Drive-In in 1985. In 1975, when the number of Canadian drive-ins peaked at 300, Winnipeg had five drive-ins, including the Northmain, the Airliner and the Pembina, the city's first drive-in, which opened in 1949.

In Manitoba, only a handful of drive-ins remain, including theatres in Brandon, Morden and Clear Lake, according to Terry Stannard, president of the Motion Picture Theatre Association of Manitoba. Stannard is not sure which of the remaining theatres will open this spring.

"It's too bad, but it's a sign of the times," he said. "The way movie theatres and distributors operate now, the drive-in just doesn't fit anymore."

The fatal blow for the Odeon Drive-In may have been its lack of sewage facilities. The drive-in was not connected to sewage systems in Headingley or Winnipeg. It operated a "sewage lagoon," meaning any sewage created by the theatre was pumped into a nearby field. The cost of hooking into a sewage system, Stannard says, may have meant sacrificing what meagre profits the theatre might have made.

Drive-in movie-goers have always felt the thrill of anticipation when the outdoor movie screen flashed the familiar message: "10 minutes to Showtime!"

In Winnipeg, it appears, showtime is never.

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Man, it sure would seem worth it to fundraise the cost of trneching a sewage pipe or installing a tank.

Should I save the drive-in?
 

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Posted by Erick Akers (Member # 875) on 03-24-2004, 09:15 PM:
 
Andrew,

A septic tank system should'nt be all that expensive to install; come to think of it, I wonder why they chose open field sewage in the first place?

I don't know the particulars of the laws concerning septic systems there, but you may want to check.

As for trenching a line,
Unless either municipality will split the cost (feeling that the business is a viable asset), that's way out of the question!!!

Another possibility is a in ground holding tank, and a contract sewage hauler. Here in Dallas,the Water Department's sewage treatment plant only charges $15.00 to dump a
10,000 gallon sewage tanker.
Of course, then there's the contractors fee for hauling the away!

The grim reality is that Galaxy doesn't want to spend time to install a septic system or foot the bill for one!

That's a shame really, because septic system design has really come a long way technologically, and could easily handle the waste material generated by the D.I.

Also,
A septic system wouldn't have the sewer line fees charged monthly.

By all means, try what you can to Fight the closing!!!
The Canadian Drive In's are fast becoming a rare item indeed and worth saving.
 

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Posted by Ron Keillor (Member # 1790) on 03-24-2004, 09:40 PM:
 
... the ONEX corporation which owns Galaxy/Cineplex has the theatre arm up for sale. Reducing the size of the assets will make the sale easier, the same way that Onex was able to pick up Cineplex after it downsized following the "bankruptcy" in 2001.
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-25-2004, 11:19 AM:
 
A septic may be very expensive as Winnepeg is on the watershed and flod plain of the red river not sure where the drivein is in location to that but the permits for any change would probabl very costly to do
 

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Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 03-25-2004, 04:30 PM:
 
Andrew:

Contact the United Drive-in Theatres Owners Association at www.uditoa.org.
 

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 03-26-2004, 08:34 AM:
 
Thanks for all the replies everybody!

Got a petition started, which everyone seems really interested in signing (at school).

*Why did the folder icon have a check mark on it?
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 03-26-2004, 08:48 AM:
 
The check mark means that you have contributed to that thread.
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 03-26-2004, 02:25 PM:
 
This is easy: Porta-Potty.
 

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Posted by Erick Akers (Member # 875) on 03-27-2004, 01:16 AM:
 
Otherwise known as a Shit & Split!!!
 

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Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 03-27-2004, 01:56 AM:
 
Ah yes, but porta-potties add the expense of pumping/etc. I don't know how much that would actually cost but there is still a cost there.

As far as a septic system goes, if one had to put in a mound system it would be quite expensive. I can't remember how much it cost my parents to have one put in but if I had to guess I'd say $10,000 wouldn't be to far off. Gordon also brings up a good point about permits.

From a business point of view, if the drive in is struggling in the first place-barely staying in the black if not slightly in the red-an expenditure of that size could very well spell the end of its operations. To bad but theatre companies are businesses, and while some focus on the 'bottum line' to much it does need to be looked at from time to time.
 

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Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 03-27-2004, 11:01 AM:
 
I have a friend that's owned various drive-ins over the past 30 years, currently has a 5 screener, and his comment about septic systems is "I've experienced many many septic systems, and I've learned one thing from them, they don't work."
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 03-27-2004, 07:45 PM:
 

quote:

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Ah yes, but porta-potties add the expense of pumping/etc.

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'tis but a drop in the pot. Nothing is free, but it's sure a lot cheaper than mortgaging the place for a treatment plant. It means the difference between running and shutting.

Puns intended.
 

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Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 03-27-2004, 07:50 PM:
 
It may be cheaper, but the health board still wouldn't allow it.

It's all a lost cause anyway. Cineplex Galaxy LP isn't interested in running drive-ins, and rightly so. Drive-ins just don't fall inline with the margins expected of their other properties, especially with such a short season.

Liquidating properties isn't part of it though. The company isn't for sale. Onex only owns about 40% of it now that the company was spun via the Cineplex Galaxy Trust Fund.
 

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Posted by Daniel Fuentz (Member # 1684) on 03-27-2004, 09:17 PM:
 

quote:

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It's all a lost cause anyway. Cineplex Galaxy LP isn't interested in running drive-ins, and rightly so. Drive-ins just don't fall inline with the margins expected of their other properties, especially with such a short season.

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quote:

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the health board still wouldn't allow it.

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Do you know that for a fact? They have no problem with it elsewhere, including places like racetracks and ballparks.
 

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Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 03-27-2004, 11:47 PM:
 
You can't do it in Ontario and as far as I know Manitoba's health regulations are fairly similar.

It really depends on your menu and whether or not the local health board office decides that it goes beyond "just hotdogs" like at a ball park.

Actually, I haven't seen a ball park or race track here that serves food have only portable toilets in many years.
 

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Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 03-28-2004, 09:37 AM:
 
Well hotdogs are prepared, the same as hamburgers or filet mignon, so I can't see where that would make a difference. I know of several racetracks and ballparks with porta-potties, and one drive-in theatre. All have full concessions (with regulation 3-bay sinks and wash basins in the food prep areas). My point was, if the theatre was "totalled" by the prospect of having to redo their septic treatment system, it is still possible to open the business and have cash flow, which could help finance the expenditure. Might be worth a try, if the interested individuals want to pursue it.

I understand corporations don't do drive-ins well, but the topic was how to save the drive-in. In a worst-case, they could open for a while without the concession. (Or without the restrooms - there's plenty of open field!!)
 

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Posted by Peter Berrett (Member # 672) on 03-28-2004, 05:23 PM:
 
Drive-ins can be made to work with the proper marketing and some $$$.

Here in Victoria, Australia we have experienced a resurgence in Drive-ins since the early 1990's. The Peninsula Drive-in in Dromana has expanded from 1 to 2 and now 3 screens. The Coburg Drive-in closed then reopened with a retro theme and has added a second and then a third screen.

Also, in recent times the Kilderry Clan re-opened the old Dandenong Drive-in as a twin and have now added a third screen with planning permission for a fourth at a later stage. I am told that business is doing ok.

Finally there was talk of the Warragul Drive-in reopening at some point.

From what I have seen, the keys to operating a successful drive-in appear to be -

1. Show first-run family product
2. Push a retro theme (ie back to the fifties)
3. Have multiple screens to offer patrons more choice
4. Run weekend markets on site
5. Kids under 12 get in for free
6. Have a drive-in bumper sticker for cars giving regular patrons a small discount (helps promote the drive-in)

The idea is to recreate the atmosphere that our parents or grandparents enjoyed and make the drive-in once again family friendly. One must also remember that if you have young kids but no babysitter, the drive-in is an ideal way to see a movie.

It also helps if your drive-in is located on the edge of town or is built on land that can't be used for anything else for some reason.

cheers Peter
 

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 03-29-2004, 11:13 AM:
 
Thanks for all the replies.

A petition has started, a community (Headingley) MLA is possibly going to begin taking action.

Many community members are offering to volunteer for free, just because they love movies, and they want to see it remain open. The idea here was that the saved payrol could be used towards the septic system.
 

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Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 04-02-2004, 03:03 AM:
 
You could always do what the community in Virginia did. They formed a non-profit 501-C3 (?)status, temporarily leased the drive-in from it's owner, then had fund raisers to raise the money to buy it out right from the owner.

They did it... and it still operates to this day. Hulls Drive-In... I think Lexington, Virginia.

Come to think of it.... I own my Drive-In, and it's a NON PROFIT too. Hopefully that will change this Summer.
 

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Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 04-02-2004, 07:29 AM:
 
Rochester's five-screen Little Theatre (art and classic films) was reorganized as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation a few years ago. A variety of sponsorships are available:

http://www.little-theatre.com/membership.php

quote:

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In 1929, the Little Theatre opened its doors. Its mission was to provide moviegoers with an alternative to the Hollywood-dominated programming that was standard fare at the downtown movie houses. For the better part of 70 years, the Little Theatre has stayed true to its mission. In the process, it has expanded from the landmark Art Deco theater on East Avenue to include four more screens, a cafe, art exhibits, live jazz, film festivals, visiting filmmakers and world theatrical premieres.

The recent addition of over 100 theater screens to the local market had a devastating effect on the locally owned Little. The possibility of closure or sale resulted in countless phone calls to Little owner Bill Coppard, urging him to maintain local ownership. Almost instantaneously, a group was formed to find a solution to the Little's short-term financial needs and long-term survival. Their input, business acumen, financial assistance and devotion to downtown are the reasons the Little remains open and its long-term survival looks like a reality.

A part of the solution, the Little (real estate and business) was sold to a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. In addition to tax savings, the Little will be able to apply for grants and accept tax-deductible contributions. Bill Coppard is now the Executive Director. The goal will be to stay true to the Little's mission of 1929 by providing our community with an alternative to the suburban multiplexes and fulfilling the need for a venue for film festivals, discussions and American independent and foreign films.

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quote:

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They did it... and it still operates to this day. Hulls Drive-In... I think Lexington, Virginia.

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quote: Andrew McCrea

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Well, Cineplex wanted a petition of 1000 signatures to reconsider and 10,000 to keep it open. By the time the petition was pulled off to be sent it, it collected 11,333 signatures in 48 hours. THE DRIVE-IN REMAINS FOR THE 40TH SEASON ANNIVERSARY!

I had an interview last Wednesday and was hired on the spot! I start on the 14th (this Friday) for orientation. We open on the 21st (May Long Weekend in Canada).

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]

Holy shit.

I can't believe the petition worked.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-10-2004, 06:50 PM:
 
Thats amazing! Congratulations!!!

Mark
 

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Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 142) on 05-10-2004, 09:43 PM:
 
It goes to show, if you really believe in something, and consider others do as well, you have a good chance of making a change.

Congratulations. This groundswell of interest maybe just enough to swell crowds this season and make the operation viable enough to find a solution to the sewerage problem.

The Coburg drive-in here was to close and it was front page news, so many people went one last time it is still open 7 years later!

David
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 05-10-2004, 10:15 PM:
 
That's great Andrew!!
 

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Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 05-12-2004, 11:12 AM:
 
Andrew, YOU'RE AWESOME!!!! Major kudos!

There was a drive-in near here I tried to "save" to no avail. Mainly because the owner had faded away into isolation from the community and his family, and was only interested in selling off the property.

I managed to contact the nephew of the owner, but it was too late. The property had been sold to Chrysler for a new Jeep dealership that never happened. They leveled the building and screens, pushed dirt around everywhere, and put up a FOR SALE sign.

You can still see the screen supports jetting out of the dirt.

=TMP=
 

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 05-12-2004, 02:56 PM:
 
THANKS EVERYONE!

I start this Friday on the 14th and I'm really excited... Its only orientation- we open on the 21st. I don't know if you've all heard of the severe weather here lately... We're getting it from a cold and hot front meeting in the US and pushing up. So far, we have gotten almost 50 cm (approx. 1.5 feet) of snow and rain (plus thunderstroms:P) in the last 48 hours. It should go as fast as it came, they've said.
 

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 05-23-2004, 03:02 PM:
 
WOW! Opening weekend's been hot!!!

The temperature isn't all that good, but last night we sold-out with 998 cars, and 400 had to be turned away. They think we'll be selling out tonight, so everyone's gonna start an hour early.

Also, the theatre has a septic tank. It's a divided one. The liquids are pumped into a pond out front. The theatre also has a sistern for fresh water (kitchen and fountains) and well water for the bathrooms. The sistern ran out like 15-30 minutes after the gates opened, and we had no water to clean the grills, serve fountain drinks, clean dishes, etc. An emergency load is supposed to come today.

Well, it's our long weekend and apparently it gets busy on opening weekend... but not like this. Let's see if we can keep it up this season!
 

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Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 05-24-2004, 12:46 AM:
 
Congrats on the job, Andrew. No matter how it works out, the experience will do wonders for your perspective of the industry.

Oh yah... you can't do better than work at a drive-in... sistern or not!

This is our place... well, 2 of the 3 screens. The original 1949 screen is below the picture. We live on the property... way cool.

 

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Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 11-05-2005, 07:47 AM:
 

It has been 530 days since the last post.

 

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Posted by Peter Berrett (Member # 672) on 11-05-2005, 07:47 AM:
 
Congratulations Andrew

I hope the drive-in prospers and finds a loyal audience into the future and that your new jobs stands you in good stead for a future career.

I just wish there had been a few people like you at Shepparton a few months ago. The Shepparton Drive-in might have been saved from closure maybe.

Its been 530 days since the last post so maybe you can give us an update on how the drive-in is trading?

cheers Peter
 

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 11-30-2005, 05:35 AM:
 
Found this so it's looking good...

>>Odeon Drive-in
I recently attended the Odeon drive-in in August, 2005 and was very impressed. The screen is massive, tall, and has an excellent, and bright picture. The snack bar has a wide and delicious assortment of yummy food and beveradges. I had waited a long time to visit the Odeon especially after getting involved in The Save the Odeon Campaign in summer 2004. It is a beautiful drive-in and absolutely worth taking serious effort to save. Winnipeggers and myself are keeping our fingers crossed for a devoted drive-in owner to consider purchasing the 998-car capacity ozoner and keep it open for many years to come. If operated by a private owner, I would imagine a second or third screen would eventually be added to the lot cinsidering the large capacity. It is the Winnipeg areas last drive-in theatre and is located just outside the city in. The Friday night I attended, the lot was pretty full and in the snack bar there was a big lineup throughout the evening. Cineplex Galaxy LP has recently bought Famous Players Theatres so I am unaware how this will affect the Odeon Drive-in and the remainder of Cineplex Odeon's drive-in theatres all located in the province of Quebec. The drive-in only charges $7.50 per adult, $5.00 for children and seniors, and $25 per carload.
<<

Andrew are you still involved with it?
 

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 11-30-2005, 06:33 PM:
 
Well, without saying too much about it (that would be a breach of privacy with my employer), I finished my second season with Cineplex Odeon in September. At that time, I moved over to SilverCity Polo Park (Famous Players) and have been enjoying my job there.

Next summer, if it does indeed open, I do plan on completing a third season. I just hope that some of our staff from last year in not invited back. That was the major downfall last season and customers DID notice. When only 5 or so out of the 20 staff bust their asses to clean, stock, serve (yah, some people stood around to chat while guests were waiting) etc., that majorly interferes with the presentation.

Aswell, We had a former union projectionist working at the theatre last season as an assistant manager, and I was always so proud of our presentation. The prints didn't have a single speck of dirt on them, and a fresh xenon made the screen nice and bright this year, even though the huge soccer complex across the highway keeps their huge flood lights on until midnight.

As for my new position in the company: I work at SilverCity Polo Park's Burger King and in the projection booth! It's such a great job and work environment, and I think that I've fit in pretty well. Going from doing projection at a three-plex to a 14-plex was quite an interesting experience.

And like I said, I'll update this post when the time is right (around April)!
 

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