Cleared for takeoff
Businessmen receive positive feedback as they look to expand their new Runway Drive In at former air base in Slemon Park
SLEMON PARK — Two P.E.I. businessmen hope they are on the runway to success with movie fans.
Paul Arsenault of Albany and Austin Roberts of Kinkora have just opened the Runway Drive In adjacent to the runway at the former Canadian Forces base, which closed in 1991.
They opened it on Sept. 5 next to the Air Force Heritage Park in Slemon Park at a cost of around $200,000.
Arsenault acknowledges it’s an odd time to launch this type of business with the world in the midst of a global pandemic and the movie industry struggling to provide new content.
“People with nothing to do,’’ Arsenault, who also manages the Clinton Hills wedding venue, laughs when asked why they opened it now. “We just saw this as an opportunity, and we wanted to use COVID-19 to do it. We wanted to open for
the summer, but our building permit process took longer than we thought. So, we decided to open (Sept. 5). It didn’t matter how many cars we had at night. If one car comes in, we (still) put the movie on.
“We think there is a demand out there and we’ve had great response on social media; a lot of great comments that it’s nice to have a (drive-in) theatre back in western P.E.I. That’s part of what it’s about, engaging the community and being here for them. Hopefully, they’ll come out and support us.’’
Arsenault said they chose Slemon Park for the location because of its proximity to Summerside and West Prince.
They also gave the business a bit of a military feel because it’s on the former base. The canteen, for example, is called the mess hall, complete with a professional chef who whips up his signature sauce for the burgers. In addition, members of the military are admitted at half price.
“I’m 54 (years old), so I grew up when Slemon Park was a thriving military base. As part of that history, we wanted to remind the new generation that it was ... a military base.’’
Shawn McCarvill, president of the Slemon Park Development Corporation, noted that the space is leased to the partners and is the perfect property for a drive-in due to its sloped grade.
“It brings back memories for me of the days when Summerside had the Starlite Drive-In,’’ McCarvill said, referring to the drive-in which used to exist on Water Street East.
“Hopefully, they’ll do well and consider leasing the land from us again next year. It’s what we do; support entrepreneurs with developmental ideas.’’
The drive-in operates with a capacity for 100 vehicles, with social distancing in mind, and 170 if or when health restrictions are lifted. Arsenault said they are using an inflatable 40-foot by 20foot screen right now (it can’t be used if winds exceed 40 km/h) but the plan is to construct a permanent screen for next season that will measure 60 feet by 30 feet.
The site is fully serviced, with six washrooms for men and six for women, as well as a wheelchair accessible family washroom.
The drive-in will transition to weekends only after this week, but Arsenault said they plan on going right into November if the weather cooperates.
A Christmas movie weekend will cap the season.
“To me, it’s not about the movies; it’s about creating a place for people to come; giving them access to do something.’’
The drive-in can be found on Facebook at The Runway Drive In and on the web at www.therunwaydrivein.ca.