Canada Place Revitalization

mr.x · #1 Posted **May 20, 2009, 2:56 PM**

Quote:

Popular tourist destination could be getting a facelift

By BRUCE CONSTANTINEAU, Vancouver Sun
May 19, 2009

The future of the Imax theatre at Canada Place — which debuted 23 years ago at Expo 86 — appears uncertain as officials look to redevelop the popular tourist destination.

Canada Place Corp. has issued a request for proposals to revamp the 30,000 to 40,000 square feet of space that includes the 440-seat theatre with five-storey-high screens and a waterfront observation deck.

Canada Place representative Robyn McVicker said Tuesday the facility is in the midst of a “major revitalization” as it strives to complement the new Vancouver Convention Centre expansion.

“We’re looking to turn the theatre and observation deck into a new exciting visitor experience — what we’re calling the premier Canadian experience,” she said. “We want a partner that can create a long-term situation and invest in the future of this premier Canadian destination.”

McVicker said Canada Place is open to any suggestions, and possible options include a restaurant, a community theatre/arts facility, a first nations exhibit or a “Cirque du Soleil” place.

“There are limitless opportunities and we want something that really aligns with our brand,” she said.

Imax executive vice-president Mark Welton said the Canadian-based large-format cinema chain hasn’t yet decided if it will submit a development proposal.

The company’s long-term lease at Canada Place expired two years ago and it leases the space on a monthly basis.

“I plan on going out soon to learn their long-term plans and see if it makes sense for us to continue our partnership with Canada Place,” he said from from Mississauga, Ont.

Imax operates 371 theatres in 43 countries, but Welton noted the Canada Place theatre was the company’s first 3-D theatre in the world.

“It has been a flagship location for us and Canada Place has been a good partner,” he said. “If it makes economic sense and we can share the experience with the people in Vancouver, there’s probably a good opportunity for us.”

bconstantineau@vancouversun.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

http://www.vancouversun.com/Popular+...405/story.html

crazyjoeda · #2 Posted **May 20, 2009, 5:00 PM**

They should make an attraction similar OzTrek at the Sydney tower. Australia is a huge country and most tourist don't go beyond New South Wales. This interactive media adventure give visitors an over view of the whole country. I did it last year when I was in Australia and it was really cool.

http://www.sydneytower.com.au/oztrek.html

johnjimbc · #3 Posted **May 20, 2009, 5:07 PM**

This sounds really promising. I'm impressed with the idea.

The idea of a BC "OzTrek" production showing in a new Imax - at least part of the time - would be great as well.

Jonovision · #4 Posted **May 20, 2009, 8:46 PM**

I really like the idea of Cirque Du Soleil setting up shop there. It would be a really great location. And it would be interesting to see what kind of show they would come up with for Vancouver.

djh · #5 Posted **May 20, 2009, 9:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonovision

I really like the idea of Cirque Du Soleil setting up shop there. It would be a really great location. And it would be interesting to see what kind of show they would come up with for Vancouver.

Agreed, a space for any kind of high-quality alternative performance theatre would be great. This area is owed an arts facility, since the land planned for the Coal Harbour Arts Centre was 'expropriated' of sorts, for the expanded VCEC, if you remember. Perhaps the city would plough some of the money set aside for that into improving and expanding this facility, even to help with programming costs?

SpongeG · #6 Posted **May 20, 2009, 11:06 PM**

ah no more IMAX for downtown a real loss now that so many movies are also coming in an IMAX version and/or 3D IMAX

Yume-sama · #7 Posted **May 20, 2009, 11:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

ah no more IMAX for downtown a real loss now that so many movies are also coming in an IMAX version and/or 3D IMAX

Doesn't actually play any Hollywood movies that people might want to watch, though.

Have to go all the way out to Richmond for that.

Might be why it's going away, actually...!

SpongeG · #8 Posted **May 20, 2009, 11:16 PM**

they played some - i know my friend saw something there once - its extremely rare though - i think it was batman he saw there

djh · #9 Posted **May 21, 2009, 2:24 AM**

Isn't the star screen in the HR Macmillan Centre an IMAX? If they started showing big Hollywood films there, they might actually have some customers.

Yume-sama · #10 Posted **May 21, 2009, 2:25 AM**

Hmm, if they played Batman it wasn't when it first opened. It seems a bit pointless to have an IMAX theater that doesn't play mainstream IMAX movies.

The only IMAX I'm aware of near Vancouver that does is SilverCity Riverport
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&sourc...h&z=11&iwloc=B

That's where I had to go to see the Dark Knight

SpongeG · #11 Posted **May 21, 2009, 2:40 AM**

Langley has IMAX too - I go there - going on Friday to see Night At The Museum

Whalleyboy · #12 Posted **May 21, 2009, 4:12 AM**

i feel ripped off i went to the imax website and they show star trek...i go to see whats playing and langley the only thing i could find was a siting saying its the aliens vs monsters movie

mr.x · #13 Posted **May 21, 2009, 4:33 AM**

Personally, I'd love to have both IMAX and Cirque....it's a shame the expansion to Canada Place's cruise ship facilities were occupied with office (presumably for the port?).

As much as I'd love to see the Cirque, I love the IMAX as well.

officedweller · #14 Posted **May 21, 2009, 6:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.x

Personally, I'd love to have both IMAX and Cirque....it's a shame the expansion to Canada Place's cruise ship facilities were occupied with office (presumably for the port?).

But the Port only took the space because they couldn't find a tenant for the space! It sat empty for quite some time.

clooless · #15 Posted **May 21, 2009, 8:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whalleyboy

i feel ripped off i went to the imax website and they show star trek...i go to see whats playing and langley the only thing i could find was a siting saying its the aliens vs monsters movie

I had the same experience here in Calgary. The local IMAX theatre at Chinook Centre that typically plays all of the blockbuster movies (Harry Potter, Dark Knight) isn't playing Star Trek for some reason, even though IMAX theatres in the U.S. are.

Whenever I've gone to the IMAX theatre at Canada Place it's always been fairly busy, so I don't know if the threatre is struggling financially or not. Where else can you go to see a 3D movie these days?

NetMapel · #16 Posted **May 21, 2009, 8:10 PM**

Yeah I've been looking into Star Trek showing on IMAX but no dice in our two local IMAX. Why aren't BC's IMAX playing the heavy-special effects Star Trek when every IMAX in the US are !?