By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

SHOWTIME

Nanaimo’s Landmark Cinemas scheduled to re-open July 3

Jun 23, 2020 | 12:54 PM

NANAIMO — The movies are coming back to Nanaimo.

Landmark Cinemas, which operate the movie theatre at Woodgrove Centre will resume screenings on July 3rd, in conjunction with other theatres on Vancouver Island and across B.C.

Bill Walker, Landmark CEO, said movie goers will see a stark difference in their theatre experience from before the pandemic.

“The biggest change is the way that the seat maps are set up are obviously designed to maintain distancing, making sure groups are separated with appropriate distancing,” Walker said.

Theatres will be limited to between 25 and 50 per cent capacity.

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In auditoriums with stadium-style seating, every second row will be blocked off with additional space between groups in the same row.

Elsewhere, theatres with recliner seating will employ a ‘checkerboard’ style seating arrangement to maximize distance.

“We’re doing what we can to make sure the distancing is managed in the theatres and given the relative level of capacity we’re going to be able to use, there should be lots of space in the auditorium,” Walker said.

Landmark plans to stagger showtimes to minimize gathering in the lobby, with staff employing an array of measures which have become the new normal.

“Our staff are going to be wearing masks in areas where they can’t physically distance, so you’re see our staff wearing masks behind the concession because they just can’t maintain distance in that area at all times,” Walker said.

Plexi-glass shielding will also be present at the concession area.

Ticket reservations will remain unchanged and is the recommended way to purchase seats for a particular screening.

“There’s a whole lot of apprehension about going back out in these public spaces,” Walker said. “We’ve really tried to think of every detail to make sure we can provide distance.”

Landmark facilities in Campbell River, Courtenay and Port Alberni are also due to re-open July 3.

— with files from 97.3 The Eagle

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