It’s showtime at Dauphin movie theatre

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This article was published 11/02/2011 (5325 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

 

DAUPHIN — A comedy, a drama, a documentary, an animated feature — and a $4.7-million gamble.

All will premiere here today at a 1 p.m. matinee.

"I would say this movie theatre compares to anything across Canada, just on a smaller scale," said Jason Hayes, general manager of Dauphin’s new state-of-the-art multiplex cinema.

He should know. Hayes oversaw construction of Winnipeg’s two SilverCity theatres as operational manager, as well as cinemas on the east and west coasts. He was lured back to Manitoba from out west — he’s originally from Oakbank.

It’s a fourplex cinema for first-run movies, with two theatres capable of showing movies in 3-D. Two digital projectors cost $75,000 each and two 3-D systems $34,000 each.

"Really, to excite our audience, 3-D is important," said Hayes. "Since Avatar, a lot more films are in 3-D."

The high-backed seats arranged stadium-style are more modern than those at SilverCity. Its walls don’t bleed sound into the adjacent theatres. Concession stands include everything from popcorn to farmer sausage dogs.

They haven’t forgotten about seniors, either. A device that fits into the drink holder and has a flexible arm and LED lighting can provide closed captioning. Headphones to provide audio description for the visually impaired will be available shortly.

"This shows a community can still do an old-fashioned barn-raising," said Mayor Eric Irwin.

To say there is excitement here is an understatement. Red-carpet galas were held three straight nights leading up to today’s opening. Hayes has been interviewed on radio station CKDM 730 every morning this week.

The city of about 8,000 has been without a movie theatre for most of the last decade after its decrepit old theatre burned down.

A committee was struck four years ago to research building a new cinema. It travelled outside the province, meeting with cinema chains and independent movie houses trying to interest a builder.

The responses ranged from no to maybe later but mostly no. Finally, an independent company in Cochrane, Alta., suggested they build it themselves like folks did in Salmon Arm, B.C.

The movie industry being like a family, the company also suggested someone capable of overseeing such a project who might not mind returning home: Jason Hayes.

"No one said we could do it and we did it," said Ron Hedley, chairman of the cinema’s board of directors.

The cinema is a risk — it will be carrying a hefty $2-million loan — but a calculated one, he said. The city expects the cinema to serve as a major magnet for Dauphin. A market of about 40,000 people resides within a 45-minute drive of the city, Hedley said. But the cinema board expects to draw people from as far away as Russell and even Saskatchewan to the west and Lake Manitoba to the east.

Communities that have built major theatres have seen more traffic, new businesses open and have even hosted more sporting events, Hedley said.

Dauphin’s Countryfest, which boasts being the longest-running country music festival in Canada, was instrumental in the construction. Countryfest, whose president is the Dauphin mayor, donated $400,000 for the naming rights. The cinema is called the Countryfest Community Cinema.

But the real story is how the citizens of Dauphin stepped up to the plate. There have been 120 donors in all, most of them individuals, putting up $1.2 million. Other major donors of $50,000 or more are the Rotary Club of Dauphin, the Dauphin Co-op, Dauphin Plains Credit Union and the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy.

The federal and provincial governments put up $1.2 million and $300,000, respectively. The City of Dauphin put up the land and a minimum five-year tax holiday. Dauphin Plains Credit Union approved the $2-million loan.

The cinema opens today with "Just Go With It," "The King’s Speech," the Justin Bieber concert documentary "Never Say Never" and the animated feature "Gnomeo and Juliet."

» Winnipeg Free Press