Ottawa residents will finally have a new downtown theatre with the opening of a Cineplex in Lansdowne this year.
While many residents may be excited to have new screens within walking distance, it could cause some serious competition for the smaller Mayfair theatre on Bank Street.
Cineplex announced on Feb. 24 that they would be opening a technologically advanced multiplex as a part of the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park.
Pat Marshall, vice-president of communications for Cineplex, says a new downtown theatre is long overdue in this area.
The Lansdowne Cineplex will be equipped with a new surround sound system and 1,700 seats for its 10 screens.
The Cineplex will also have three VIP screens to give audience members a different movie watching experience.
“They are for adults only, they have reserved seating, the auditoriums themselves are more intimate, they are probably about 120 to 150 seats," says Marshall.
"You also have the ability to have food and drink delivered to your seats before the movie begins."
The Cineplex will also have a full liquor licence, something that the Mayfair theatre has only been able to acquire for special occasions.
Mayfair owner Lee Demarbre says the new cinema will be “unfair” competition for his small theatre.
“Most single-screen theatres that are closed in North America are closed because there is a multiplex theatre right beside it, so it’s kind of scary.”
The Cineplex will also be showing movies on their release date, while the Mayfair theatre will have to wait two months to show a movie after it has hit the big screens.
“Here is the real test: Will the people on Bank Street wait two months to see a movie like Gravity? Or will they go see it at Lansdowne?” says Demarbre.
However, the Mayfair is already starting to ramp up some its programming in anticipation of the new multiplex.
On March 28, the theatre will be switching from monthly programming to weekly programming in order to get new films to the theatre faster.
The theatre has also added a late afternoon matinee to all of its weekday spots, which allows it to screen three shows a day instead of two.
To compete with the Cineplex’s VIP screens, the Mayfair will reapply for a full liquor licence, which would allow them to serve alcohol for every show.
In addition to these improvements, the Mayfair still has many loyal customers, says Demarbre. The theatre hosted an Oscar party on March 2 and heard some encouraging words from their audience members.
“We did hear a lot of people say that they were going to keep supporting us and not support Lansdowne,” says Demarbe. “It was nice to hear.”
By Christmas this year, Demarbre says he will have a good idea of where the Mayfair is heading given its new competition.