New movie complex could open in 2010

WASILLA — Valley movie fans may have something more to open on Christmas 2010 — a new theater.

At least, that’s if everything goes according to plan, said John Schweiger, CEO of Coming Attractions Theaters Inc. His company now owns the property south of Wal-Mart free and clear, and the necessary 12 acres have been zoned commercial to accommodate the theater.

DOWL HKM Engineering is working on the civil engineering for the site, and its architectural firm has almost finished the footprint, Schweiger said. The company hopes to have the project out to bid by Dec. 1.

The theater plans call for 12 screens inside a 40,000-square-foot building. It will be a state-of-the-art facility, Schweiger said, but he declined to say much more than that.

“We’re doing some things I don’t want to disclose. I want to surprise the people when we open,” he said.

Once the design is finalized, it has to be approved by the Wasilla planning commission, but Schweiger expects no problem there.

“We know the building codes and what to do. We’re not looking to cut any corners,” he said.

The last step is to secure the final financing for the building, but Schweiger said they have been getting very positive comments on that front.

Construction should begin early next spring, he said. The plan is to get the outside done in the summer and finish the interior by December 2010.

Headquartered in Ashland, Ore., Coming Attractions Theaters, Inc., has theaters across Oregon, Washington and Northern California.

The company specializes in smaller markets underserved by their existing theaters, Schweiger said, becoming part of the community rather than just another business.

Following this pledge, Coming Attractions has become a benefactor member of the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce. Its donation of $5,000 is helping to fund the silver salmon derby under way now.

“We’re not going to be strangers,” Schweiger said.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.