A pop-up drive-in movie theatre has been given the ok from the SHA in the Saskatoon area. Photo Courtesy/Chris Lawrie

By Lara Fominoff

Saskatoon area pop-up drive-in gets go ahead from Saskatchewan Health Authority

May 13, 2020 | 11:26 AM

When non-essential stores were ordered to close more than two months ago because of COVID-19, Saskatoon Audio Visual Technical Production Manager Chris Lawrie was temporarily out of work.

Then he remembered last year, his company bought a 20-foot inflatable screen. The idea behind it was to use it for “movie in the park” type events.

“This year with the let up on the drive-ins, we felt that if we could find an appropriate space to meet within the guidelines of the re-open plan, then we would be able to successfully pull off this business. That’s what we decided to do.”

At this point, he says his group called “Cinema Under the Stars,” has the support of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and they’re waiting on the final go-ahead from the province, which he anticipates will be granted with no issues. One major requirement is that they do not operate within 30 km of another drive-in theatre.

The events will mainly take place in the Saskatoon area, on a piece of land called “Agar’s Corner” near Highway 16 and Floral Rd. There is a maximum number of vehicles allowed, and pre-payment is required.

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“They’ve allowed us a piece of property that we can put our screen up. Then we are spacing 15 feet between vehicles and we can have a maximum of 30 vehicles,” says Lawrie.

No buses, limousines, RVs, or large trucks are allowed in. Everyone in the vehicle should be part of the same family – not multiple households and the maximum vehicle capacity is eight seats.

Food can also be pre-purchased, and there will be washrooms on site – which will be sanitized on a regular basis. Visiting with acquaintances is not permitted. Neither is loitering outside of your vehicle.

“That will be shut down real quick,” says Lawrie.”We actually do have people patrolling. They’re our social distancing officers and we will be managing that so that type of stuff does not happen.”

Lawrie cautions that showings are weather dependent, and refunds will be given, or an option to see another showing will be provided.

“We will continue to do this every day that people buy tickets. We have been online for less than 24 hours and have already sold out two showings. We have added two more showings for Sunday. If that demand sells out, we’ll potentially be adding Monday.”

The first showing will take place on Friday in Warman. It will be by donation, and proceeds will go to a non-profit organization to help those in need in northern Saskatchewan. The pop-up drive-in will then move to Agar’s Corner for Saturday and Sunday movies.

Tickets can be purchased through Show Pass, or through Agar’s Corner, Saskatoon Audio/Visual or Armed with Harmony. Showtimes and movies played are also on those sites.