Metropolitan Entertainment Centre
281 Donald Street,
Winnipeg,
MB
R3C 5S4
281 Donald Street,
Winnipeg,
MB
R3C 5S4
10 people
favorited this theater
Showing 101 - 125 of 179 comments
NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!
When the Historical Buildings list works, its good to use. The MET is a nationally designated historical site. It will not and can not, and should never be cut up like a pie.
Better to cut up a piece of amazing architecture- one that’s stood for 86 years- then let it sit empty? Never.
It truely is unfortunate that its sitting empty, but a “megaplex”? C'mon.
well, if it’s near a “done deal”, then i guess, so be it. but interesting concept above, by bd, for u of w. if the museum idea ends up in limbo, somedody, should serioulsy get this other idea to the powers that be. and really do a selling job on it, the feasability, and the many advantages, it could bring. smart thinking, bd.
As far as I understand, the Rock Museum idea is nearing the status of “DONE DEAL”.
It’s great to see some brainstorming! Though it is another great consideration, It would be a shame to split up the theater more or less from a “historic preservation” point of view. Though not impossible, the movie thing seems like a tough go. Towne 8 has central wpg, and Cinema City8 takes care of everywhere else.
I don’t understand why the UofW made the quick decision to erect a brand new fine arts facility in downtown Winnipeg without even considering the remaining theaters. The Met is in an Ideal location in respect to the UofW campus, there is room to expand it to meet the needs of a modern theater, it could even be connected to the skywalk system /MTS Centre. The project could give the UofW a lot of recognition of many levels there could even be student involvement in the restoration, talk about a history lesson! It definitely would be a large project but consider the levels of funding this would open up. Not only civic and private sectors but possibly even federal funding. In the end there would be something for everyone. The UofW would have a performing arts center, the theater would be preserved, the city would gain recognition, businesses in the MTS center would experience an increase of traffic.
If you consider what Red River Community College has done on princess street to basically condemnable buildings, I don’t think the idea is too far fetched.
one thing, i’d like to put forward, and must have already been suggested in the past-what about turning the place into a megaplex. a theatre that size should be able to be turned in to 4 rooms, or more. i realize there’s others nearby, but could it be feasible? must have been suggested to the city fathers previously? ever really considered? hate to see it split up, but still better alternative to nothing done.
Hi, here’s a peripheral question that’s been bugging me… in the 70’s and 80’s there was a restaurant right next to the Met —– I think it was actually part of the same building although it had its own entrance.
What was it called? For the life of me I can’t remember it, all I can think of are words that sound like “Metropolitan”, which isn’t helping me.
ok, appreciate your frankness. so what do u think would work? you say something very different. would they go for making it like the odeon, showing live shows periodically? at least like that, it wouldn’t require much changing, once renovations were done. i presume they’re still sitting on the rock n roll museum idea. but for this big majestic theatre to just sit and rot, seems unacceptable.
Garro,
I’m sorry but I really don’t think so. The only reason I suggested RHPS is because for some reason that film’s always had really great “legs”… :P (industry term for sustainability, but a pun you should understand if you’ve seen it)
But really, not a lot of pictures, old or new, are going to be sustain crowds. RHPS, which would still be monumental in business still wouldn’t have what it takes to keep that place open. It has to be something VERY different, and that maybe necessarily means NO MOVIES.
yes, the idea of 20 years anniversary of abandomnent is truly sad. if some group can convince somebody to give a proposal a chance, it’s way better that sitting and rotting. they can show films that are not brand new, but not ancient. maybe charge $4 or something a pop. it’s worth a try, and could actually work!
Thanks, Jack. Are you from Film-Tech? I’m quite aware of the costs. The only problem with expense is transporting the print, plus $500 a night. PLUS: Huge costs/fines to replace these reels/prints.
I saw a print of “A Clockwork Orange” from the 1970s that was here in Winnipeg recently and when the projector started up… SNAP! It was also scratched, had dirt embedded on it (like watching the movie through a transparent Dalmation), and weak in spots.
>>It is VERY hard to get older film titles. When you can get them, they are very expensive; the older they are usually means the more expensive, because the studios don’t want to lend out their few copies of older/rarer films, and because the older they are usually means the more delicate they are.<<
Most repetory prints are in fine condition because they are newer printings. Rates differ ever so slightly from studios, but in the long run, are not expensive at all.
The only request the studios make of you is to run the archival prints reel to reel. There are also designated platter prints of popular titles.
Ok… sarcasm and mild optimism don’t materialize they way you really want on the internet.
I know its a huge expense. Its just a random idea. And I just meant that the City would open it up (no rent), but it was really all mild, sarcastic optimism. And as for staffing… minimum wage. Two in the box, four in the candybar, two ushers and some security. You obviously wouldn’t come close to filling all 1400 seats, but the idea of this beautiful (although not as beautiful as the Cap, but still magnificent) building celebrating its 20th anniversary of abandonement… well, that sucks.
Plus, if the drive-in opens next month, we have that to look forward too, right?
The RHPS? why not let the great old building rest in peace. I like th idea of a good bunch of people getting together, but rather then putting some push and pressure I suggest they bring their wallets.
the rhps idea is a good one, i think. especially trying for one nite. true, he may have underestimated the financial part, but probably could still be done without major major expense. i now live in montreal, and every year they do a run at a different theatre, and the place is always filled. if they ended up with capacity crowds saturday, they could add friday as well. a lot better than just letting the place sit, and deteriorate. it’s sure not making any cash that way. i think what’s needed is a united front of a good bunch of interested people, to present a proposal/proposals to the mayor/city leaders. and start to put a bit of push&pressure to get things moving. i think some pressure from the public is what’s needed. these guys will just sit on their hands w/o commitment, if no
Have you factored in other incidental expenses such as rent, utilities, liability insurance, not to mention employees' salaries? As I recall from years back, having attended RHPS showings with considerable audience participation, there was a fair amount of clean up involved afterwards. That would mean paying a crew for that little chore. Also, who knows if the building would still pass a safety inspection for use as a theatre. In other words it ain’t gonna be as cheap as one might think. Finally, I have to wonder if RHPS would still have the drawing power week after week as it did in years past. As much as I’d love to see the Met reopened, it would definitely be an uphill battle all the way. Note previous postings re the Burton Cummings and Pantages Playhouse theatres, also owned by the city, and constantly looking for additional funding. The Cummings aka Walker has been in arrears on the mortgage for years and has been unable to proceed very far with restoration efforts that were begun in 1991. It’s not a promising picture.
Just to clarify: RHPS showed in Winnipeg for 10 years originally. I didn’t mean it showed at the MET.
And now, with the City only charging the “Entertainment” or “Amusement” tax on cinema admissions (conveinient that the Goldeyes aren’t charged now, isn’t it?) to support and fund the “arts” (MTC, Rainbow, etc.), why not put some used booth equipment in, along with some used concession equipment (a popper and drink tower) and some used refurbished seats, and sell tickets to show RHPS in order to further fund the arts? I guess they maybe don’t care since they cut out financial funding from entertainment from the Bombers and Goldeyes, so they don’t really care about how much to put in.
In reality though, the Met could be simply restored to show one of the biggest cult classics of all time once a week (RHPS on Saturdays) for roughly $231,000 (refubished main floor seats, used projector, new screen and popper, plus the need for carpet which I didn’t factor in. That’s not that bad, and you wouldn’t have to do the balcony until necessary, but atleast its a small step to make the building loved and used again).
I hate to pop all of your bubbles, but here’s more reality:
It is VERY hard to get older film titles. When you can get them, they are very expensive; the older they are usually means the more expensive, because the studios don’t want to lend out their few copies of older/rarer films, and because the older they are usually means the more delicate they are.
Also- you’re not going to be able to get any first run titles, not with the Towne 8 there showing pretty much all the big hits. See, the multiplex created competition buffer zones, and the Met clearly falls within that. A big chain like Cineplex wouldn’t even have some leeway towards that.
If there was anyway it could show film again, I would say the city should show the Rocky Horror Picture Show every Saturday night. They could just open it for that one night, because if its such a money drain already, why not open it up once a week? Couldn’t hurt. RHPS showed here for 10 years originally, and then later on, played three consecutive years at the Rex/Regent during a revival.
And, I’m sure this wouldn’t work, but I believe the front wall could be large enough if you removed the procenium- so why not relocate IMAX there? :P
>Sam_e:
>Another problem is that it is ‘landlocked’, meaning that the stage >house could not be enlarged. It is bounded by the public laneway to >the north and by Holy Trinity church property to the south which is >already designated as an historic site.
This is true, however I don’t see why the land between the theatre and the church (there’s quite a space there) couldn’t be utilized.
Also, there’s a building attached to the side of the theatre (currently PCL’s lunch room/office)that could be leveled and would provide alot of space for a sideways south expansion running the entire depth of the theatre. Again, this is just an observation. I am sure the city has a long list of land use conditions not to mention the fact that the Church does own a portion of the land between the buildings. As for the public lane? let’s face it, if the city was willing I’m sure there wouldn’t be a problem encroaching / completely removing the lane since they seem to do it all the time! EG: UofW-Spence St. Graham st, Portage Place prominade etc,etc..
Oops..
Check out the tour of the restored Allen!
In the above link move your mouse over “about” then move down and to the left over “tour”..
Enjoy.
This is a very interesting example of what our Metropolitan/Allen theatre could truly become if the dream were realized.
http://www.capitoltheatre.org/
This city took great pride in the restoration and re-birth of this classic Allen theatre.
excuse the repetion of bascially same message, guys, but didn’t think previous ones had gone through.
i guess, sadly, you’re probably right, sam. in regards to parking, instead of being such a problem, if they offered validation for up to 4 hours, if they produced a movie ticket,it could be an incentive. i know i’m a dreamer, but the met&other classic theatres, had something that the multiplexes don’t&never will possess. would still like to see the free press do a poll. probably the museum proposal will become reality some day-if enough push is done. i wasn’t there in the met’s final days. was attendance that bad? when i lived in wpg, there was never a shortage of patrons for any theatre. though i realize it’s many years now.
i suppose, sadly, you’re correct. it’s really sad no one tried to take it before it got a chance to deteriorate so badly. the met and the other classic movie palaces, have something, as far as charm and atmosphere that the multiplexes dont' and never will possess. re. parking, they could offer anyone with a movie ticket, parking validation for 3 or 4 hours, as an incentive. i know i’m dreaming, but i can’t help it. would still like to see one of the papers do a poll about it. probably the museum proposal will go ahead some day. since i wasn’t living in wpg., in its last days, i never saw if attendance was that bad. was never a patron shortage when i was there
i suppose, sadly, you’re correct. it’s really sad no one tried to take it before it got a chance to deteriorate so badly. the met and the other classic movie palaces, have something, as far as charm and atmosphere that the multiplexes dont' and never will possess. re. parking, they could offer anyone with a movie ticket, parking validation for 3 or 4 hours, as an incentive. i know i’m dreaming, but i can’t help it. would still like to see one of the papers do a poll about it. probably the museum proposal will go ahead some day. since i wasn’t living in wpg., in its last days, i never saw if attendance was that bad. was never a patron shortage when i was there
i suppose, sadly, you’re correct. it’s really sad no one tried to take it before it got a chance to deteriorate so badly. the met and the other classic movie palaces, have something, as far as charm and atmosphere that the multiplexes dont' and never will possess. re. parking, they could offer anyone with a movie ticket, parking validation for 3 or 4 hours, as an incentive. i know i’m dreaming, but i can’t help it. would still like to see one of the papers do a poll about it. probably the museum proposal will go ahead some day. since i wasn’t living in wpg., in its last days, i never saw if attendance was that bad. was never a patron shortage when i was there