Lindsay Drive-In reopens with some restrictions
LINDSAY — When Joni Mitchell penned “Big Yellow Taxi,” she couldn’t have known a simple statement like “don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone” would have so much meaning 50 years later.
Danny Zita can say he knows firsthand, especially after opening the doors to the Lindsay Drive-In on Sunday night.
“It just seems like everyone was on a natural high,” said Zita of the buzz at the outdoor theatre at 229 Pigeon Lake Rd., about 40 kilometres northwest of Peterborough. “I guess you really don’t know what you’ve got to lose until it’s actually gone.”
Zita said he is thrilled to finally be able to get back to business.
Drive-in theatres in other provinces were allowed to open weeks ago as they began slowly lifting COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Ontario finally relented, after ongoing requests and calls from owners, but with a host of strict regulations to limit the spread of COVID-19.
One of the biggest regulations forced Zita to make a difficult choice.
“If I turned on the projectors, I couldn’t open the snack bar,” Zita said.
Although the snack bar is where he makes his money, Zita believes keeping people entertained is more important right now.
“I thought, ‘Let’s just be happy we can open. Let’s just get the projectors running,’ ” said Zita who is respecting the province’s decision on keeping food services limited right now.
“We just wanted to see some families and some kids. The laughter and the joy we heard as they were coming in; that was worth the price of admission.”
Zita has, however, made a few changes to the way things operate.
Parking spaces have been expanded so there is ample space — close to three metres — between vehicles. Convertibles must keep their roofs up and hatchbacks must stay closed. Sitting on a truck’s bed is also prohibited.
Washrooms are being inspected every 10 minutes and will be deep cleaned daily. Hand sanitizer is being offered to those entering and exiting.
Normally the drive-in is only open four days a week, but Zita has decided to be open Friday to Tuesday. Hours will change to seven days a week on July 1.
Zita is also only screening two movies now, but hopes to soon have different features running on each of the facility’s twin screens.
Peterborough city and county no longer has any drive-in theatres. The Mustang Drive-In on Preston Road in Cavan Monaghan Township closed years ago, while the Havelock Drive-In between Norwood and Havelock closed before the 2019 season could start.
The Port Hope Drive-In at 2141 Theatre Rd. S., between Port Hope and Cobourg, about 50 kilometres south of Peterborough, announced Monday it will reopen for the season on June 12.
It will be cash only for now and with similar physical distancing restrictions, including no concessions, half capacity and only members of the same household occupying each vehicle.