A trio of Victoria councillors aims to keep drama in the city, after a longstanding movie theatre went on the market recently.
In May, the landmark building that houses Cineplex's Odeon Theatre at 780 Yates St. was listed for $8.5 million by Jones Lang LaSalle Real Estate Services Inc., putting the longstanding cinema's future in doubt.
The 25,027-square-foot site, which fronts both Yates and Johnson streets, sits in one of the city’s busiest commercial corridors.
A notice of motion penned by Couns. Matt Dell, Dave Thompson and Krista Loughton calls for council to seek options on supporting cinema in Victoria. Options they proposing include: incentivizing the construction of new movie theatres; assisting in maintaining existing theatres; incorporating the support of cinema into its broader strategy for supporting arts and culture in the city; or any other potential policy options.
“Currently, there are only a small handful of movie theatres remaining in downtown Victoria, and there is an increasing risk of losing these key cultural spaces and experiences,” the paper reads.
“Downtown cinemas play a vital role in supporting local culture, walkability, and economic vitality. Unlike suburban mall movie theatres, downtown cinemas bring people into the city centre where they can walk, bike, or take transit. Moviegoers grab dinner before the show or drinks afterward, supporting local restaurants and shops. This activity helps businesses and keeps downtown lively. Losing downtown theatres means losing both cultural experiences and economic benefits for local businesses.”
The three councillors argue the city may soon have policy tools at its disposal. The new official community plan and an updated downtown core area plan offer an opportunity to focus on retaining and expanding cultural assets such as movie theatres.
The item is up for discussion on council’s June 5 committee meeting agenda. Residents can attend the 9 a.m. meeting in person or online at victoria.ca.
