Work on new cinemas underway
IT will be ‘showtime’ in Caherdavin early in the New Year after work commenced this week on the much anticipated seven screen cinema complex, on a site adjacent to Smyths Toys and Dunnes Stores. The Limerick Post revealed earlier this year that the operators had set a pre-Christmas deadline for completion, but, as reported in this paper two weeks ago, plans were delayed after a receiver was appointed to the site by Nama.
With portable cranes and a workforce of a dozen men taking up positions this Monday, construction began in earnest as they aim to complete the build within three months and to have the project up and running by mid- March.
A spokesperson for the Showtime Cinemas, whose headquarters are in county Meath, told the Limerick Post that they were delighted that problems, not of their making, had been overcome.
“Limerick’s northside has a very big catchment, and given our location, we will also be drawing patrons from Shannon, Ennis, etc.
“We have plans for seven screens, all digital, including a VIP cinema for special occasions”.
Ideally, the owners would have preferred their declared pre-Christmas opening to cash in on seasonal blockbusters such as Mission Impossibe 4 and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, but will take encouragement that other major attractions are scheduled for release in early 2012, including a revival of Titanic, in 3D, which should give their operation the perfect kick-start.
Staff will be recruited inside the next few weeks.
Joe Malone, a Caherdavin native, told the Limerick Post that success was guaranteed for the cinemas.
“Rather than hitting the Omniplex and Storm, i think they will generate an entirely new audience. Castletroy and Dooradoyle are a good distance from the city’s northside, and not alone will Showtime benefit from being in the midst of a large nearby population, it will also appeal to those living in such estates as Thomondgate, Kileely and Moyross, especially teenagers and those into their twenties, starved of amenities in the area”. .
