Popcorn might not be popping for much longer at Squamish's only movie theatre.
Garibaldi 5 Cinema is struggling to make ends meet, said David Corwin, president of Metropolitan Theatres Corp., the U.S.-based company that owns the five-screen Squamish theatre. Faced with low attendance, high rent and the push to go digital, the theatre is now up for lease, he said, adding that the company hopes a new tenant will want to take on the operation.
"If this one closes, it is unlikely there will be a theatre there again," Corwin said.
Converting the cinema's systems to show digital films and switching one to 3D technology comes with an approximate $400,000 bill, he said. Before the company moves forward with those upgrades, it has to ensure the theatre itself is a sound investment, Corwin said. So far, the company has no firm timeline on when a final decision must be reached.
"At this point, we will get to the summer and see what possibilities there may be," he said, noting the situation is not promising. "Our goal is to figure out a way to keep the theatre there."
Metropolitan hasn't paid its lease since Sept. 6, 2011, said Philip Langridge, president of Churchill Property Corp., the property management company for the Garibaldi Village Shopping Centre. The 25 investors who own the shopping centre are owed a significant amount of money. With interest, it's in the seven figures, Langridge said.
In an effort to save the cinema, Langridge wrote a letter to the District of Squamish requesting the facility's $44,000 in annual property taxes be waived in exchange for community use, such as the premises being opened up to civic organizations for special events. So far, he's had no response.
"We were basically supporting the cinema for [the community of] Squamish," Langridge said, adding that's simply no longer possible.
Bryan Raiser, Squamish councillor and avid movie-goer and reviewer, said the community wants a movie theatre.
"That's not even up for debate," he told The Chief.
The theatre is often packed with teenagers and families and Raiser said he doesn't want to see it go. But waiving taxes for a private business is a slippery slope, he warned, noting it could set a precedent. Ultimately, it would be council's decision, Raiser said.
"As a councillor you don't like hearing any business is having trouble," he said.
