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The Fredericksburg area's evolving movie scene is changing once again.
Regal Entertainment Group has announced it will renovate its Central Park movie theater, while Muvico has picked a different partner for the theater complex it will build at Spotsylvania Towne Centre.
Regal, which owns the largest theater circuit in the country, plans to remodel Regal Fredericksburg 15 in phases beginning in the fourth quarter of this year. Work will include putting digital projection and stadium seating in every theater, two of which will be combined into one larger space. The complex will be renamed Regal Cinemas Fredericksburg Stadium 14 when it opens next summer.
"Regal is switching to digital all across the country," said Regal Entertainment Group spokesman Russ Nunley. "It is a coordinated rollout to theaters nationwide, and we have targeted Fredericksburg to be complete before the summer movie season hits."
Meanwhile Muvico Entertainment will be working with Splitsville, a Tampa, Fla.-based restaurant concept that offers bowling and billiards, instead of Frank Theaters on the tentatively named Muvico Paragon 12, according to Anthony Cafaro Sr., president and chief executive officer for Cafaro Co.
As originally announced, Muvico Paragon 12 would be a 12-screen, all-stadium-seated digital theater able to show 3-D movies as well as sports events and concerts, including opera performed at the Met.
It would cater to youngsters, teens and families on the ground level with eight theaters, a restaurant, about 20 bowling alleys and a giant arcade. Adults ages 21 and up could take the escalator to the second floor "premium" level, which would feature a full-service bar and restaurant, four theaters offering reserved seating and free valet parking as well as several bowling lanes in a trendy setting.
"There are quite a few different operations vying for position to be part of the Muvico complex. It's really not our decision who they're going to be utilizing as subcontractor," Cafaro said.
He stressed that "there's no hiccup" in his company's deal with Muvico, which is expected to open Muvico Paragon 12 on the mall property next spring.
Muvico, which is noted for its lavishly decorated theaters and amenities, announced in July that it would be teaming up with Frank Theaters for the Muvico Paragon 12 project. Frank Theaters, which is based in Jupiter, Fla., is known for its family entertainment centers such as Superplay USA in Port Lucie, Fla.
"We're so involved with our new theaters, as they are," said Bruce Frank, Frank Theaters' president. "It's just difficult for everyone to put their schedules together."
He said his company is still interested in the Fredericksburg area and is planning to build "an entertainment product" here.
"We think Fredericksburg is a growth area," Frank said. "We like what it represents for the future of entertainment. I don't want to disclose what it will have, but we are talking to people now."
He declined to name names, but did say he knows people at Silver Cos.
Cathy Jett: 540/374-5407
Email: cjett@freelancestar.com
| Fredericksburg Stadium 14 will feature these amenities:
Digital projection in every auditorium, which will allow alternative programming such as concerts, opera, Broadway shows and sporting events; Real D 3-D projection systems available for 3-D enhanced presentations; Digital surround sound; Stadium seating in every auditorium, instead of just five, for an unobstructed view of the screen; The newly configured auditorium arrangements will also have seating for approximately 2,000 patrons and be handicapped accessible; New high-back rocking Retractable cup holders that can move out of the way Updated concession stand designed to improve delivery times and customer flow. New carpeting and tile in all auditoriums, halls and lobby; Lobby will include an arcade area for interactive gaming and a new guest service desk offering extra assistance to customers; New computerized box office located indoors to protect patrons from the elements; Regal Express kiosks will provide fully automated ticket purchasing; Updates to the exterior The industry-leading Regal Crown Club loyalty program, which rewards frequent moviegoers; Advance tickets are also available by phone or through REGmovies.com. --Regal Entertainment Group
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