By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
IF ALL goes to plan it will be the transformation of the season – from derelict to Disney for Cranbourne’s old heated pool site.
The wheels are currently in motion for an independent cinema complex and bar on the Grant Street crown land.
Developer Ian Macklin has no concerns about the failed Village Cinema venture at the former Cranbourne shopping centre, saying “Competition doesn’t worry me.”
Mr Macklin, Director of TM Design Group has already sat down with Casey council officers and has submitted plans for the four-cinema complex, with the backing of the Cranbourne Racecourse and Recreation Reserve Committee of Management (CRRRCM).
“Council officers seemed fairly keen and a cinema is obviously needed in the area and seeing that people are campaigning for one certainly lifted my heart,” Mr Macklin said.
The heated pool site slowly became Cranbourne’s resident eyesore, when Casey Race opened in 2009 and has struggled to be reinvigorated since.
The site was planned to become a 24-hour gym in April last year, but secretary of the CRRRCM Neil Bainbridge told The News: “That deal fell over in April this year, so the site has been vacant for a long period of time.”
The current plans subject to council, CRRRCM and State Government approval could see blockbuster films hit Cranbourne as soon as this time next year.
Mr Macklin said as soon as council gave him the go-ahead, he would start on it “straight away”.
“I imagine it will be a seven-month build or similar and we’ve already done a scenario that could see 40 employees full-time and part-time,” he said.
The pool’s structural shell will stay and form the bones of the new complex, which is set to house a cafe and bar.
Mr Macklin said two of the four cinemas would be a higher class experience where food would be delivered and would seat 46 people; the other two cinemas were set to seat 90.
“I want it to add to the entire precinct along Grant Street and be a place people can go have a burger and a drink and see a movie,” he said.
“Ours will be a different offer to the big boys, we won’t be as expensive and our point of difference will be the bar – we will show blockbusters on the day of release.”
Mr Macklin has almost everything sorted except for a name for the complex and wants Cranbourne schools, community groups and families to help him choose one.
“Once we’ve got partway through the planning application we’ll ask for name suggestions from the community,” he said.
Looking into the future, Mr Macklin can’t rule out more cinemas and even an outdoor theatre.
“It is very exciting – the site is a little bit of an eyesore at the moment and we’ll do it all up,” he said.
The announcement couldn’t come at a better time for a group of passionate locals who heated up their online campaign for a cinema in Cranbourne recently.
If you have a name suggestion for the Grant Street cinema and bar complex, email it to dailyeditor@starnewsgroup.com.au.
