Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

MOVIE NIGHT

Kamloops movie theatres re-opening with B.C in Phase Two of Restart

Jun 16, 2021 | 5:04 PM

KAMLOOPS — Movie lovers in B.C. have gone without the coveted ‘theatre experience’ for several months, however this week big screens around the province are back on as B.C. enters Phase Two of its Restart Plan.

It’s been a long time since the lobby of the Cineplex in Kamloops has been filled with eager movie goers. With a limit of 50 people per theatre, it won’t be a full house but it’s the start of a return to pre-pandemic excursions.

Manager Helen Chatterly says the first day back was a sell-out for their larger name movies.

“We knew from talking to people who were coming to pick up Skip the Dishes orders that people were very excited to come back and they proved it yesterday.”

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With eight auditoriums, the theatre in the Aberdeen Mall complex is one of the largest in the region. Chatterly says some of their COVID-19 precautions now include pre-selecting seats to keep a safe distance apart, and leaving the maks on until you’re seated and breaking out the snacks.

“I want people to feel safe when they come here. We’ve got a lot of health and safety protocols in place. The seating, the plexiglass in front of the tills, social distancing, we staggered the showtimes so the lobby isn’t full.”

Elsewhere in the city’s downtown core, the Kamloops Film Society is preparing to host public screenings again at the Paramount Theatre starting in July.

“Just Friday, Saturday at first, and then as we move into the fall bringing back our Thursday film series and then maybe some other days depending on demand,” explains Executive Director Dusan Magdolen.

Recently, the society has been showing films with the Twin Rivers Drive-In at McArthur Island. But being able to plan for indoor operations and the extra revenue from it is somewhat relieving — aside from some private bookings, the seats have been empty at the Paramount.

When asked if they were expecting to have the Phase Two plan kick in this week, Magdolen says it was on their radar but they still wanted some time to plan their screening schedules and program.

“I don’t think it was a huge surprise. I think overall having the plan is a big relief, I don’t know if making it to step two was some sort of huge relief. But I’m very happy that we’re moving in the right direction, and maybe by fall we can have a couple hundred people, maybe even full houses by then if everything is going well.”

Whether it’s a summer blockbuster, or a new indie movie you’re trying to see, theatres in Kamloops recommend buying tickets and concession treats ahead of time to keep the lines moving smoothly and safely.