Centron begins construction on Eagle Ridge shopping centre, theatre
Conceptual art provided by Centron Group of The Commons at Eagle Ridge, a 250,000 square-foot shopping centre with a multiplex.
Construction is expected to begin on a new shopping complex in Fort McMurray, which will include a long-awaited movie theatre.
Development of the first phase of a 250,000 square-foot retail centre called The Commons at Eagle Ridge has begun, according to a press release from the Calgary-based Centron Group. The shopping centre will include a multiplex operated by Landmark Cinemas, which is expected to be complete by fall 2018, said Bill Walker, chief operating officer at Landmark Cinemas Canada.
“It’s good to make it official and the shovels are in the ground, so it’s finally going to happen,” Walker said.
The development will have space for restaurants, retail outlets and other services, the release read.
The eight-screen, 37,000 square-foot theatre will be the main centrepiece of the shopping centre. The company describes its 25-foot screens as “wall-to-wall,” offering the latest in digital projection and sound.
Auditoriums in a full-stadium configuration will feature more than 900 powered reclined seating. All seating will be available on a complimentary reserved seating basis and tickets will be available in advance.
“The real feature honestly is the seating experinece and the comfort it creates,” he said. “We just know that the community is going to be quite impressed with the difference in the movie theatre experience once we get open.”
Walker also said the reserved seating typically leads to people booking tickets further ahead, eliminating any stressful rush for first-come, first-served seating.
When the plans for the theatre were announced in April 2016, it was to have 10 screens and enough seating for 1,100 people. Walker said the changes were less about “scaling down” and more of an adaptation to fit the site plan better.
Despite some bumpy months over the past few years, business at the current downtown theatre is now as good as it was pre-fire, and even pre-oil crash, he said. This is likely because the theatre’s customers are largely long-term residents, instead of transient oil camp workers.
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