Save the Neptune DRIVE-IN

THIS PETITION IS NOW CLOSED: I HAVE FORWARDED IT TO THE MAYOR OF SHEDIAC AND TO OTTAWA. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR CAUSE.

DON'T LET THE NEPTUNE BE ONE OF THESE STATS.

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Increasingly, drive-ins are becoming relics of a bygone era, evoking thoughts of jukeboxes, ice cream floats and roller skates. There are so few operating theatres left that it’s newsworthy when one goes out of business. Such was the case with the Odeon Drive-In, the last outdoor theatre in Winnipeg. The theatre’s parent company, Cineplex Entertainment, had been discussing the closure for years, but community activists worked to keep it alive. Unfortunately, in the end, it wasn’t enough and Cineplex announced in April that the 40-year-old theatre would close. Not to worry, though, there are still a few drive-ins left standing, stubbornly holding on to the past.

Stardust Drive-In, Morden, Man.
Over the years, the number of operating drive-ins in Manitoba has dwindled to only three. The current owners of the Stardust, the Freund family, grew up next door to the theatre. When the previous owners decided to sell the property, the Freunds jumped at the chance to take it over. The theatre also hosts community events such as swap meets and youth-group nights to help supplement revenues. If watching movies under the stars isn’t enough of a draw, the concession-stand menu includes tempting treats such as Pizza Pops. 3020 Thornhill Street.

The 5 Drive-In, Oakville, Ont.
The 5 Drive-In boasts three screens, one of which is nearly the size of an IMAX screen. This theatre really gives you more movie-fun for your money with $5-admission nights, plus four features showing from dawn until dusk on holiday and bonus weekends. The 5 Drive-In also features an outdoor barbecue pit, which serves corn on the cob, back bacon on a bun and steak sandwiches. 2332 9th Line.

Drive-in Movie Theatre at Polson Pier, Toronto, Ont.
Toronto’s sole drive-in is on Polson Pier and is billed as North America’s only downtown drive-in theatre. There’s nothing especially vintage or kitschy about these urban outdoor screens— the theatre is part of a huge complex that also includes a driving range, mini-putt, a pool and a state-of-the-art indoor soccer facility. 11 Polson Street.

Valley Drive-In, Cambridge, N.S.
The Valley was very nearly a casualty of the times when its lease wasn’t renewed and it was closed. The local Lions Club, however, stepped in to save the day. After just one season, the Lions Club had been paid back in full from the proceeds taken in by the theatre. Today, a portion of the Valley’s profits goes to benefit the community. Off Highway 101 towards Berwick.

Brackley Drive-In Theatre, Brackley Beach, P.E.I.
Prince Edward Island’s only drive-in originally opened as The Parkview in the 1950s, back when drive-ins (and Brylcreem) were all the rage. In 1992, new owners renamed the theatre and restored it to its former glory, including a five-storey-high screen, a vintage Coca-Cola machine, a jukebox and, best of all, pinball machines. For a real trip back in time, check out the 1950s Morris Miner car parked in the canteen. 3164 Brackley Point Road.

Above mentioned was taken from, http://www.caamagazine.ca/caadvice_articledetail.aspx?ContentId=788

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After more than 40 years in operation, Shediac's landmark Neptune Drive-in Theatre won't open this season unless a new owner or renter decides to keep it going.

Enlarge Photo Greg Agnew/Times & TranscriptThe screen at the Neptune Theatre Drive-In in Shediac will not operate this summer unless someone steps forward to run the facility . Owner Gilles LeBlanc said yesterday that high taxes, increased costs, a short business season and a shortage of employees all add up to an impossible situation. He is putting the drive-in up for sale or rent and doubts whether it will open this season at all.

"I've been keeping it open because it has been in the family since 1964 and there are a lot of people who like it, but I don't think we'll open this year," LeBlanc said yesterday.

Located across from Parlee Beach on Main Street in Shediac, the Neptune is sitting on a prime piece of land that could quickly be sold for some other type of development. LeBlanc said the assessed value of the property has grown significantly in recent years, and so has the tax bill, which he said amounts to about $1,400 per weekend that it is open. Increases to property tax, electricity and other overhead costs have combined with decreased business. He said he simply can't pay the bills by running the theatre for eight weekends out of the year.

"If I we had a break on taxes or something it might work. But we open July 1 and close the first of September and I still have to pay the same amount of taxes as if I was running year-round."

LeBlanc's father opened the theatre in 1964, a time when there were only a few dance halls around Shediac and not much else for the young generation to amuse themselves with at night.

"Back in those days, we were running seven nights a week and it was jam-packed," he said. "The drive-in was really something out of this world. It was a big thing. People would go to the beach during the day and the drive-in at night."

In 1965, admission was 85 cents a person and on Sunday nights it was a voluntary donation. Today it's $7 or $8 per person."

But the drive-in started to fall on hard times in the 1980s when movies became available on videotape and people could watch in the comfort of their own home. At the same time, better roads and quick transportation mean the drive from Shediac to Moncton is only about 20 minutes.

Drive-in theatres saw a surge in popularity in the 1950s and '60s that mirrored the happy days of the teenage baby boomers.

Drive-ins have been portrayed in popular culture and movies as a place where teenagers went on dates. But they fell out of favour over time. The Skyway Drive-in in Moncton closed many years ago, as did one in Ste-Anne-de-Kent. The Sussex Drive-in Theatre continues to operate on weekend. It is operated by a family that also runs a trailer park.