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New cinema complex in Langford ready to open

Theatre at Westshore Town Centre boasts advanced digital technology
21514goldstreamLangfordOdeon1PJuly1311
Jesse Robinson

Theatre at Westshore Town Centre boasts advanced digital technology

Langford is now home to one of the most advanced movie theatres on Vancouver Island.

The Cineplex Odeon at Westshore Town Centre is the first on the Island to be fully digital, no longer using film movie reels. It’s opening its doors on July 15.

“Digital offers a crisper picture, sharper sound and a nice bright vivid image on the screen,” said Kyle Moffatt, Cineplex Entertainment director of communications.

The complex will house seven auditoriums, four of which will offer 3-D technology. One of the 3-D ready theatres is the first Ultra Audio Video Experience (AVX) theatre on the Island.

“The (UltraAVX) screen is significantly larger than a standard screen. It’s a wall to wall screen,” Moffatt said.

For its grand opening week, the UltraAVX theatre will screen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 four times per day.

Tickets are $17 for adults and $14.50 for children and seniors. Watching an UltraAVX movie costs an $3 above a standard movie ticket and an extra $5 for a 3-D film. There are only 22 UltraAVX theatres across Canada.

The UltraAVX auditorium offers 7.1 surround sound and is wired for more advanced 11.1 surround sound for future use as technology advances, Moffatt said.

When the theatre eventually begins to use the 11.1 surround sound technology, the sound of rain falling in a film for instance, may be heard from speakers above the heads of patrons, Moffatt said.

The UltraAVX theatre also is equipped with larger seats and online reserved seating. “If you buy a ticket online you can actually pick your seat too,” Moffatt said.

Langford was selected as a destination for the new theatre due to its strong residential growth. The theatre will employ 50 people with both full- and part-time positions.

“Langford is a growing community. It’s really bustling,” Moffatt said.

This new addition to the West Shore will be competition to the long-standing three-screen Caprice Theatre on Goldstream Avenue, open since 1989.

“I think initially we’ll see a bit of a drop in business,” said Caprice manager Brian Jupp adding his customers will most likely want to check out the other theatre when it opens.

But, at this point, Jupp said he isn’t too concerned. The Caprice offers admission at about half the price of other theatres and has a strong local following.

“We are going to continue offering our great service, with great staff and the best popcorn in town,” Jupp said.

At the Caprice adult admission is $6.75 and children and matinee tickets are $4.50.

“(The Odeon) is going to be totally different from our theatre. Our customers don’t go to SilverCity and that’s what the new theatre will most likely be like,” Jupp said.

The Caprice doesn't offer 3-D, but Jupp said sometimes that turns out to be an advantage.

“Some people don’t like 3-D, not only because of the price, but they don’t like the effects,” Jupp said.

If business does significantly drop, Jupp said there may be changes made, but until they know how things change, the theatre will be operating as usual.

“Until they open we are the only show in town,” Jupp said.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com