PARK Royal Shopping Centre says its plan to build a cinema where alcoholic drinks might be served remains on track, even as a Vancouver theatre's licencing woes appear to raise serious questions about the viability of the idea.
The West Vancouver mall announced the scheme in June last year, calling for a brand-new movie complex to be built above what is now the Brick furniture store as part of a larger redevelopment of its south side. The facility, which would feature as many as 11 screens, would include several "VIP cinemas," where patrons would pay a premium for enhanced service - including, possibly, access to alcohol.
"VIP theatres typically are smaller in size, larger seats, reserved seating," said Park Royal vice president Rick Amantea. "Some of the best ones in the world will allow you to order and have food brought to you in your seats - and drinks, as well, if the licensing permits it."
But the plan seems likely to collide with B.C.'s liquor laws, which have been held up to scrutiny recently in the public fight between Vancouver's Rio Theatre - a venue on Broadway that hosts both movies and live events - and the province's Liquor Control and Licensing Branch.
The 74-year-old Rio, on receiving a liquorprimary licence in January, was told it would have to stop showing movies completely - even if it didn't serve alcohol at those movies - or face closure, because provincial regulations prohibited the screening of movies in venues that hold that licence.
The owners mounted a campaign to get the rules changed, and on Feb. 9, the government appeared to back down, saying in a statement that it was making liquor licences "more flexible" for venues that host live events, effective immediately.
The change means licence holders can now screen movies and broadcast pay-per-view programs outside the hours set out in the licence, but can still not serve drinks during those events. They have to draw up a schedule showing days of the week and hours of the day during which they want their licence to be in effect, get it approved by the LCLB, and then hold screenings outside those hours.
That would seem to create a conundrum for complexes that show movies back-to-back, but Amantea said the model might still be workable - and in fact might even be more desirable than serving during screenings.
"We've been to other facilities in Ontario that do exactly that: If you choose to have a glass of wine before the movie, you can do it right at the venue, but you can't bring your drinks right into the venue," said Amantea. "It's a little hard for them to pause the film while someone is ordering a martini in the front row."
But even that before-and-after option might create challenges, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, which oversees LCLB. To do it, the mall would essentially have to create a completely segregated eatery.
"They could set up a licensed restaurant within the movie theatre complex, provided there is a proper physical separation from all unlicensed areas and a separate entrance," said a ministry spokeswoman in an email to the North Shore News. "Patrons would not be able to take liquor from the restaurant into the theatres."
The ministry says the rules are tighter for cinemas than for sporting venues such as Rogers Arena - which lets in minors, screens broadcast events, and serves alcohol in the seating area - because of lighting issues.
"One of the significant considerations has always been the large number of moviegoers who are youth, and the unique challenges posed by darkened movie theatres (for) the government's responsibility to ensure that minors do not have access to alcohol," said the spokeswoman. "Government has the difficult job of balancing the desire to assist business owners in being successful with the responsibility of regulating liquor."
Amantea seems unperturbed, however. Nothing about the Park Royal redevelopment is set in stone, he said - movie theatre included. Subject to municipal approval, the company will offer whatever service the provincial rules will allow at the time of opening.
But Park Royal will keep an eye on the issue, in case the rules change again, he added.
"It's something we'll be watching closely." In addition to the new theatre, the mall's plan calls for two 22-storey towers near Marine Drive and Taylor Way and an eastward expansion of the Village at Park Royal.
The company hopes to approach West Vancouver municipal council with a formal proposal within the next six months.
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