NEW DRIVE-IN THEATER TO OPEN NEXT WEEK IN CHICO
CHICO » It’s nostalgic, fun and guaranteed to be a big hit, which is exactly the purpose behind the soon-to-be Meriam Park Drive-In Theater.
It’s under construction now, or rather under assembly. The screen is expected to go in this week, back by three stacked cargo containers that owner Dan Gonzales installed earlier this month.
Certainly the coronavirus safety regulations gave Gonzales the idea, but he had tossed around ideas of entertainment for the Meriam Park community. As owner of temporarily closed Burban Kitchen restaurant, Gonzales was trying to figure out how to give the community a place to congregate in addition to the restored historic barn, which ultimately will be dedicated to community use.
“It’s about giving the community something fun, something entertaining,” said Gonzales on Wednesday.
“There’s a whole generation who’ve never experienced a drive-in theater.”
In south Chico off the Midway, the Starlight Drive-In closed in 1985. Other communities, including Oroville, have set up drive-ins next to bare walls and projected films on the surface during coronavirus’ closure of theaters, but this will be an official set-up, Gonzales said.
Looking at the vast expanse on the corner of East 20th Street and Notre Dame Boulevard, just west of the restored barn, it came to him that it would be perfect for a drive-in.
On a fast track, Gonzales went to the city, got the permitting, which included notification to all the surrounding residences.
Chico Community Development Director Brendan Vieg noted, “The temporary allowance for the drive-in was done via an Administrative Use Permit, with no public hearing and therefore no minutes, and adjacent property owners notified of the decision.”
It cost Gonzales about $120,000 for the ground preparation, projector and equipment, permitting, among other costs.
First show
Sept. 25 is the first showing, featuring the film “Fisherman’s Friends.” Tickets will be $25 per car, and only available from Meriam Park’s website www.meriampark.com a few days before the showing.
Patrons will tune into a certain frequency on their vehicle radios to get the audio.
According to Wikipedia, the movie is a 2019 British romantic comedy based on a true story about a group of Cornish fishermen who are signed by Universal Records and achieve a top 10 hit with their album of traditional sea shanties.
Gonzales signed a licensing agreement with Swank Motion Pictures for the films, which will all be PG-13 and under.
“It’s about family entertainment.”
Capacity for the prepared gravel parking area is 160 vehicles. A concession stand that Gonzales calls “a beer cart” will offer food and beverages.
Because of the timing of summer darkness, one showing at 8 p.m is the initial plan, and showings will occur Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays later on.
Gonzales can also see the area as a place for concerts or public events, although the permitting coincides with the coronavirus restrictions.
The development
While entertaining the community, the project also helps Meriam Park, the commercial and residential development on Chico’s east side. There may be movie patrons who’ve never heard of or passed by Meriam Park that come for movies.
Gonzales has an aggressive construction schedule, with apartments and single-family residences being built, along with commercial spaces for the last two years.
So far, there have been 200 apartment units built, with 60% preleased, and 30 single-family dwellings completed, with others coming later in the year.
There is also some commercial space available, but many of the retail slots have been taken.
While he closed Burban Kitchen under coronavirus, Gonzales is now looking for an operator, he said.
Contact reporter Laura Urseny at 530-896-7756.