Orléans goes digital

Instead, moviegoers can just tour to Innes Road where a new state-of-the-art 10-screen theatre complex has opened.

On Thursday, Dec. 17 Empire Theatres unveiled Ottawa’s first all-digital entertainment complex.

It is the first complex in Ottawa to go fully digital in all 10 of its auditoriums, said Dean Leland, Empire Theatres’ vice-president of studio and media relations. Instead of using large reels of 35 mm film, he explained, movies will instead play off a hard drive that is protected and coded.

The physically smaller format not only reduces shipping costs, it also means the film is “first generation” all the time, Leland said. Unlike 35 mm film that degenerates over time as it picks up dust and hair each time it goes through the projector, a digital image is “pristine all the time,” he continued.

Fully digital auditoriums is becoming the standard in new construction of theatres, Leland said, adding there are other theatres in Canada that are 100 per cent digital. There’s already been a slow integration of digital in existing theatres, he continued, noting it’s a huge capital expense.

Aside from the 10 auditoriums, the 41,000-sq.-ft. facility at 3752 Innes Rd. also features an arcade, an expanded refreshment offering, and large rooms that can be used by community groups, corporations or to host celebrations. Three of the auditoriums can also show 3D movies.

All 10 auditoriums feature stadium-style seating. The red chairs are comfortable, wide, recline and offer ample leg room. For those looking to cuddle with their date, the arms between the chairs can be lifted to accommodate snuggling.

This is the first large complex Empire Theatres has constructed in the Ottawa market, Leland said. The Nova Scotia-based company previously purchased a group of three theatres in Ottawa, one at the World Exchange Plaza, Rideau Centre, and Centrum Boulevard.

Leland said the Centrum theatre was nearing the end of its lease and, with no room for upgrades, Empire Theatres decided not to renew it. The Centrum location closed its doors for the last time on Dec. 18, the day before the Innes Road location opened to the public. Employees at Centrum were offered a transfer to Innes, something about half accepted, Leland indicated.

Empire Theatres chose to build on Innes because it’s a “wonderful retail corridor,” Leland said, adding such a destination spells success for movie theatres. The location also provided the needed land, access off a main road, and the ability to build an expansive parking lot. As for the east end in general, it’s a growing area that will help ensure success not only now, but into the future as development continues.