Sidney’s Star Cinema, which has been nurtured and grown with community support, will play a starring role in a new downtown development that could start coming out of the ground next spring.
Cameo, a mixed-use project by Alberta-based Casman Properties, is expected to seek a development permit within the next few weeks.
The project, which will reinvent the corner of Sidney Avenue and Third Street, across from the Town of Sidney’s Municipal Hall, will sport as many as 50 condominiums built over commercial space that will feature a new and improved Star Cinema.
“The biggest thing we want to [get] across is that the theatre is 100 per cent in the project … it’s absolutely part of it,” said Margie Shenduk, director of operations with Casman. “The theatre is such a beloved part of downtown Sidney. It’s a community amenity.
“We were basically told if this [project] doesn’t have a theatre, don’t even talk to us. It’s a critical piece of this.”
There had been concern that demolition on the site, which currently houses three buildings, would cost the town its theatre.
But Star Cinema owner Sandy Oliver said there’s nothing to worry about.
“Good things will come of this because Casman will help us through a transition period,” she said. “We will continue to operate no matter what. We will find [a temporary space] that will work.”
The theatre has been in operation since 1998, when Oliver and her sister and two friends took over a bingo hall and converted it.
Casman has committed to finding a temporary location to house the theatre during demolition and construction.
It is expected the demolition could start next spring with construction to take about 24 months.
“Over the period it takes to construct the project, the Casman company has taken us on as a community amenity and they will be trying to make it a viable situation,” said Oliver, who added she is thrilled at the prospect of a build-to-suit theatre on the site.”
The new cinema, which will still be owned by Oliver, will be expanded to 7,500 square feet and three screens from its current two.
There will also be a larger lobby and concession area as well as improved access for those with mobility issues.
“They will be building what we need in terms of a third screen, the right space with proper theatre height,” she said. “It will improve what we have and give the community more of what we would like to offer.”
That includes the charm of the small-town theatre.
Shenduk said they understand the importance of the theatre to Sidney and will cater to what the audience wants.
“No one wants a fancy Cineplex Odeon,” she said, noting they will incorporate the seats and digital projectors the community rallied to help fund in 2012.
Five years ago, the community raised $185,000 to help pay for upgrades, including new seating and digital projectors.
“The community invested in the theatre so we will be repurposing them in the new space,” said Shenduk.
At this point, Casman has not found a suitable spot in Sidney to house the temporary theatre, but both Oliver and Shenduk said it’s just a matter of time. “We are confident this will go well for the community and we will see something to be proud of,” said Oliver. “I’m quite thrilled myself.”
The Cameo, designed by architects Finlayson Bonet, will offer a range of suites ranging from micro-suites to three-bedroom units, and underground parking.
