Article by: Marg. Bruineman – Barrie Examiner
Company that has purchased Barrie Triple Drive-In planning a retro look
ORO-MEDONTE TWP. — The Barrie Triple Drive-In has been sold, but its life as a retro outdoor movie theatre will live on.
Premier Operating Corporation purchased the Oro-Medonte Township drive-in last month, adding a fourth to its ownership holdings. It also operates and/or books films for more than a dozen other theatres, mostly in Ontario.
“We’re actually more retro than most places,” said Premier comptroller Chris Bilinski. “We start with O Canada before the movie starts and we play old cartoons like Woody Woodpecker.”
The drive-in, to open next weekend, is now called Sunset Barrie and pricing will be similar to the company’s other drive-ins: $10 for adults, $2 for children and $5 on Tuesdays. The drive-in is just east of Barrie in Guthrie, off Highway 11.
Bilinski said his company will update the property, beginning with the concession, but the business will remain open.
“We’re renovating as we operate it,” he said.
“We’ll probably be adding a play land to it.”
The current playground will remain. Bilinski said the company has had success with its play land at its Oakville drive-in, which contains five inflatables, including a mist tent in which children can play “for a nominal fee.”
“It’s definitely going to be family oriented, like all our drive-ins.”
The company’s other drive-ins are in London and Hamilton. Premier is also involved in cinemas in Smiths Falls, Keswick, Tillsonburg, and Yellowknife.
Premier also books movies for The Canview in St. Catharines, The Docks in Toronto, The Strand in Simcoe, The Mustang in Peterborough, The Star in Leamington, The Oxford in Woodstock, The Roxy in Uxbridge, The Starlite in Grand Bend and drive-in theatres in Port Elmsley, Muskoka, and Midland.
mbruineman@thebarrieexaminer.com
social@premiertheatres.ca
Article Source: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3066728
