Cineplex closing at Walker Road SilverCity site, landlord says building could be destroyed
CBC
Cineplex is closing its Walker Road location which is leaving the landlord with very few options but to destroy the building and seek out a new use for the site.
"This type of decision is not taken lightly," a statement from the company said about its decision to not renew the lease.
The 3,000 seat theatre sits on a 17,000 square foot lot and it was built about 25 years ago. It is currently closed due to pandemic restrictions and Cineplex recently temporarily laid off thousands of employees due to pandemic closures.
But in this case, the company said their decision was not based on the closures.
"Based on pre-pandemic attendance levels, it was clear that movie-lovers in Windsor were gravitating toward the newer amenities at our nearby Cineplex Odeon Devonshire Mall Cinemas location.," the statement read.
"This theatre offers enhanced movie experiences."
"Our point as landlords is what does one do with a theatre that is built for one use and one use only," Joe Mikhail, who leases the property to Cineplex.
He said that since the building was built with a single purpose in mind, if he can't convince Cineplex to stay, the costs to repurpose the building are prohibitive and it would have to be destroyed.
"I think each one of us here recognize [the Walker Road location] as we drive into Windsor," Mikhail said.
"Unfortunately they've decided they want to vacate that spot and leave Windsor-Essex County with a population base of over 500,000 people to one theatre."
He said that he waived a considerable amount of costs for the business during the pandemic.
"We took a huge hit, hoping to help them out but unfortunately the industry is what it is and they can only do what they can do," he said.
Mikhail said he also had an expressed interest from Landmark Cinemas before the pandemic -- one he would like to see renewed.
"They'd like a presence here but right now, with what happened with COVID, they're sitting tight now."
The government of Saskatchewan has announced plans to reduce the length of non-resident game bird hunting licences to combat illegal guiding.
An 87-year-old Alberta man is fighting extradition to the United Kingdom to stand trial for historical allegations of physical and sexual assault involving minors.
Eight casinos across southwest B.C. have been sold to First Nations in the last two years, with the province's gambling scene set to be reshaped as a result.
Hamilton hosts the Junos Sunday, and the musical awards show is bringing tourists, musicians, concerts and a ton of themed events to the city this week.
The multi-million-dollar deal at the heart of a high-profile fight between the Canadian government and one of the world’s biggest carmakers contains multiple clauses about the company’s footprint in Ontario, according to a copy obtained by CBC Windsor.
In recent months, Calgary police have carried out three day-long safety blitzes, parading out dozens of officers to flood an area with their increased presence — at least, temporarily.
A national organization is seeking people with experience in Canada's forestry sector as they put together a working group that will examine ways to improve forest recovery following wildfires.
Ella Heyder is bracing for a breakup, even though she already moved out decades ago.
Shawne Hopkins never saw it coming.
Politicians return to Queen’s Park Monday for a shortened spring session, as Premier Doug Ford prepares to unveil his eight budget amid heightened global economic uncertainty.
Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.
As scandal has swirled around former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, questions and curiosity have also focused on his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.