St. Albert residents put the return of a movie theatre to the city at the top of their wish list for entertainment options.
A recent study, organized by economic development, collected information from about one per cent of the city’s population (638 people), via phone and Internet surveys in 2014.
Sean McRitchie, manager of business attraction, said economic development now plans to provide copies of the report to land developers, entertainment vendors, and at trade shows.
“We basically have these tools now in our pockets and we can demonstrate what is the demand for these services in St. Albert,” he said.
The report said that St. Albert could benefit from another 300,000 to 400,000 square feet of entertainment space by 2035. The city now houses about 320,000 square feet of entertainment facilities.
Some immediate and future demands by residents include a seven to nine-screen movie theatre, more performance and heritage establishments, amusement and recreation spaces, and more drinking establishments.
The report also recommends concentrating entertainment in two areas of the city, to capitalize on people drawn to the venues. The two areas are the downtown core and the northern part of the city.
These areas could focus on attracting one anchor tenant, such as a movie theatre, which would support other facilities – a comedy club, an amphitheatre or art gallery, as well as commercial establishments such as restaurants and a boutique hotel.
Though well received, the report drew some questions from council members. Coun. Sheena Hughes worried that the downtown would end up being over-crowded.
“Everything is apparently going to fit into our six blocks downtown,” she said. “Right from the entertainment hub, to everything that has to do with civic priorities. There is so much packed into this small area.”
Hughes also questioned the duplication of services in St. Albert that already exist in Edmonton, such as adding another trampoline place. It may be a challenge to convince some of these businesses to come here, she said. She also questioned the need to expand venues such as the art gallery, which is not in as high demand.
Mayor Nolan Crouse wondered if some of the venues mentioned in the report, such as a children’s museum or science centre, would be sustainable.
Guy Boston, executive director of economic development, responded that some of these establishments are heavily subsidized “but that would be something we’d be looking at.”
But councillors also added that previous additions to the city’s entertainment landscape have been well received. Coun. Prefontaine recalled overhearing a conversation between two students saying they prefer having one of the city’s newest bars close by instead of going to Edmonton every weekend.
“There is a need and there is desire and there is interest in entertainment,” he said. “I look forward to seeing what hopefully comes from (this study).”
Other findings of the report show that:
• The younger demographic of St. Albert is the least satisfied with entertainment options in the city and leave to find it in Edmonton. They are also the group spending the most on entertainment, about $150 per month.
• People aged 50 to 64 are more likely to spend time in St. Albert for entertainment. The group spends the least on entertainment, about $105 per month.
• People would prefer to focus cultural and entertainment activities in the downtown, with 60 per cent of respondents looking for an “entertainment hub.”
The full report is available at stalbert.ca/city-hall/news under news releases.
