Saskatoon Construction II - Page 482

prairieguy · #**9621** Posted **Nov 17, 2016, 7:28 PM**

Do others on here feel there is an actual need for an additional 7 movie theatre screens to be constructed as proposed/announced for Brighton neighborhood? I know it has been a while since new theatre screens were added in Saskatoon, but honestly, I think we currently have enough (but maybe the build out of Brighton will produce a lg enough population base to support it without hurting downtown theatres??)

WoodlandCritter · #**9622** Posted **Nov 17, 2016, 7:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairieguy

Do others on here feel there is an actual need for an additional 7 movie theatre screens to be constructed as proposed/announced for Brighton neighborhood? I know it has been a while since new theatre screens were added in Saskatoon, but honestly, I think we currently have enough (but maybe the build out of Brighton will produce a lg enough population base to support it without hurting downtown theatres??)

I enjoy going downtown to watch a movie. I think it was a smart idea they built where they did. If Brighton doesn't have an Imax, from what I have heard it doesn't, then there isn't really an incentive IMO. I don't think we need more but if they are building them I guess they see the demand.

Echoes · #**9623** Posted **Nov 17, 2016, 9:43 PM**

I expect there will be plenty of hand-wringing over a new multiplex in the suburbs opening up. There was plenty of trepidation when the Galaxy (now Scotiabank) was being built: That's too many screens for a city Saskatoon's size! Where on earth will people park?!

Outcome: best performing cinema in the Galaxy line. Upgraded to a Scotiabank VIP Theatre the likes of which are only seen in cities much larger than ours.

Scotiabank Theatre will be just fine. They have a grip on the "experience" of going to the movies: dinner, drinks, walk by the river, movie. It's been a massive success.

The real lost opportunity with the Brighton multiplex is that it will be built in the big box development near College Drive, not as an anchor to Brighton's mixed-use Village Centre further down McOrmond. Imagine the lasting value of a focal point like that in a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented area where the theatre drives traffic to restaurants and businesses located there and the moviegoer can have a fuller experience akin to downtown.

In this scenario, you can go to dinner first - it's just way across the parking lot at the Keg. Or maybe a McDonald's. Methinks the downtown option will still win out for first dates and the like.

But at least parking will be plentiful and free. Right?!

mark_b · #**9624** Posted **Nov 17, 2016, 9:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echoes

I expect there will be plenty of hand-wringing over a new multiplex in the suburbs opening up. There was plenty of trepidation when the Galaxy (now Scotiabank) was being built: That's too many screens for a city Saskatoon's size! Where on earth will people park?!

Outcome: best performing cinema in the Galaxy line. Upgraded to a Scotiabank VIP Theatre the likes of which are only seen in cities much larger than ours.

Scotiabank Theatre will be just fine. They have a grip on the "experience" of going to the movies: dinner, drinks, walk by the river, movie. It's been a massive success.

The real lost opportunity with the Brighton multiplex is that it will be built in the big box development near College Drive, not as an anchor to Brighton's mixed-use Village Centre further down McOrmond. Imagine the lasting value of a focal point like that in a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented area where the theatre drives traffic to restaurants and businesses located there and the moviegoer can have a fuller experience akin to downtown.

In this scenario, you can go to dinner first - it's just way across the parking lot at the Keg. Or maybe a McDonald's. Methinks the downtown option will still win out for first dates and the like.

But at least parking will be plentiful and free. Right?!

I think it is a great idea to build more smaller theatres. My wife and I go to a lot of movies and we don't always want to go downtown to the theatre. We like to save the downtown experience for the must see movies and then when we just want to go out we usually go to Centre. Was there last weekend and what a dump Centre Cinemas has become. They sure don't put much money in that place, although the seats seemed to have been replaced.

Anyways, a new Brighton theatre will likely end the Centre Cinemas, but there will likely be more of these theatres to come. I received an email from Arbutus yesterday in regards to the Meadows Market and according to them phase 3 will include grocery, big box stores, and a possible movie theatre, so there might be one in 5 years by the new Costco as well.

And yes, parking will be free and plentiful at a theatre in the big box development. Look at Edmonton or Calgary, the theatres are with the shopping so there is plenty of parking. That's the biggest issue with Scotiabank Theatre. We have spent up t0 40 mins trying to find parking there before, and then just heading home. Parking downtown is terrible these days at night.

EpicPonyTime · #**9625** Posted **Nov 17, 2016, 11:49 PM**

I think a new multiplex in Saskatoon is a great idea. The city is under no threat of having too many screens since only one theatre offers a premier experience. I know plenty of people who won't go to the Centre solely cause it is run down and antiquated (and not in a charming historic way like the Roxy). A new first-run theatre anywhere in the city, especially one that isn't a Cineplex brand, can only be a good thing for the city. It'd be nice if it was an IMAX but are there even any non-Cineplex theatres with them in the country?

Also, a couple of months ago there was a guy from Warman who was looking into building a small theatre out there. I don't think he's going through with it, but I'm surprised there hasn't been any tire-kicking about putting a theatre in Lawson now that Target's moved out. They've got two big spaces there that could host a couple screens and there's no theatres on the north side.

dsmmace · #**9626** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 3:40 AM**

Parking downtown is easy, drive around the block, then hit up a parkade. They are always largely empty.

WoodlandCritter · #**9627** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 3:53 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime

...A new first-run theatre anywhere in the city, especially one that isn't a Cineplex brand, can only be a good thing for the city. It'd be nice if it was an IMAX but are there even any non-Cineplex theatres with them in the country?

Landmark Cinemas has Imax. I have gone to the one in Kitchener. I'm guessing it could be exactly the same style of movie theatre planned for the Brighton area if it were built there.

https://www.google.ca/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!...UKEwierNLVs7HQAhVQ1WMKHbhSDDgQpx8IsAEwCg

skSK · #**9628** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 7:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarlyByrdProductions

The 'Imagine Idylwyld' campaign has popped up on social media feeds asking for feedback on what the people of Saskatoon want and what's important to them for this key corridor. I suggest everyone here put in their opinion since this thread always seems to have the greater interest for the city and downtown core at heart:

https://imagineidylwyld.metroquest.ca

Just sent mine in all the way from Australia! Easy to do and quite well done from a usability standpoint. (The city should be commended for its increased efforts in this kind of public consultation, IMO!)

Dalreg · #**9629** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 11:06 AM**

Where about are you in Australia?

skSK · #**9630** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 12:09 PM**

I've been based in Adelaide since October, and will be here until January. Then more travel and work around Australia in the new year and back to SK in July!

Echoes · #**9631** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 3:24 PM**

There's construction activity on the site at 19th St and Ave B (across from the Banks) where that awful 3-storey building was proposed with the parking lot in front. I could be wrong, but it appears that the concrete footings are being constructed nearer to 19th St and Ave B than at the back of the lot, so it's possible that the building was moved up to the street. Let's hope so - it would be a marked improvement. Still a design barely worthy for Stonebridge, however.

prairieguy · #**9632** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 3:39 PM**

I have not walked around The Banks for a month or so....has there been any luck on them leasing their ground floor commercial spaces yet? I know our economy is hurting right now, but that does seem like a pretty darn good location.

The Bess · #**9633** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 3:55 PM**

Here's a link to what has been sold at the banks for commercial

http://www.collierscanada.com/20757#.WC8jesnzNoc

molasses · #**9634** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 4:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echoes

There's construction activity on the site at 19th St and Ave B (across from the Banks) where that awful 3-storey building was proposed with the parking lot in front. I could be wrong, but it appears that the concrete footings are being constructed nearer to 19th St and Ave B than at the back of the lot, so it's possible that the building was moved up to the street. Let's hope so - it would be a marked improvement. Still a design barely worthy for Stonebridge, however.

Yeah, I heard rumblings that the City forced them to move the building up to 19th Street, and yes, I walked by recently and it appears that it is getting built right up to 19th, which is such an improvement.

WoodlandCritter · #**9635** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 5:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by molasses

Yeah, I heard rumblings that the City forced them to move the building up to 19th Street, and yes, I walked by recently and it appears that it is getting built right up to 19th, which is such an improvement.

Thank goodness

Echoes · #**9636** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 6:22 PM**

Awesome. Still a terrible looking proposal though that's not worthy of being across the street from the Banks.

A design and concept akin to The Blok in that location would've been fantastic. The developer behind that project gets it, and built something outstanding in a fairly isolated location relative to where this is going up.

serrakat · #**9637** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 8:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echoes

Awesome. Still a terrible looking proposal though that's not worthy of being across the street from the Banks.

A design and concept akin to The Blok in that location would've been fantastic. The developer behind that project gets it, and built something outstanding in a fairly isolated location relative to where this is going up.

I agree! I never want to wish people bad fortune, but the developer doesn't have any tenants in it (that I know of yet). So maybe a dose of reality is needed to show that you can't just "build and they will come", that people are looking for good design, even decent design, just something better than a building that looks like it belongs in north industrial.

Dalreg · #**9638** Posted **Nov 18, 2016, 11:05 PM**

Cool. I'm in Perth. Doubt you wil make it over here. Most don't...

gowest · #**9639** Posted **Nov 19, 2016, 2:15 AM**

Watched the tear down yesterday of the Steel Bridge. I don't know much about demolition or construction. What I enjoy watching is team work. The operators of the two large machine worked so well together, they had the bridge Steel down and apart in three hours. It was entertaining to watch.

saskatoonborn · #**9640** Posted **Nov 19, 2016, 5:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Echoes

Awesome. Still a terrible looking proposal though that's not worthy of being across the street from the Banks.

A design and concept akin to The Blok in that location would've been fantastic. The developer behind that project gets it, and built something outstanding in a fairly isolated location relative to where this is going up.

Win some, lose some. I agree about the Blok. In my opinion its easily one of the least appreciated development in Saskatoon (At least on here) but one of the most stunning and well suited for its neighborhood. I love it.