Belmont Drive-In

sad, not a bad place, close to the interstate,concession and rest rooms really run down.

From the Gaston Gazette: The Belmont Drive-In Theatre’s days as a viable business may have cruised into the sunset. Longtime fans get the itch to head to the beloved venue every year around this time when the weather turns warm. Visions pop into people’s heads of paying a mere $10 per car to watch a movie outdoors, under the stars. But owner David Lawing said the drive-in’s future at 314 McAdenville Road is more uncertain than ever. “We used to always try to be open around March or the first of April,” he said. “We’re trying, but I don’t know if we’re going to be able to get it back open or not.” The problem is one that’s been sneaking up on Lawing for years. The film industry is moving away from distributing movies on 35mm film, instead converting to a digital format that involves sending DVD-style discs to operations like Lawing’s. The Belmont Drive-In still uses the same, trusty projector that Lawing’s father, Bill Lawing, used when he ran it as a teenager decades ago. He and his wife, Peggy, continued using it when they fulfilled a lifetime dream and bought the drive-in nearly 30 years ago. But the conversion means Lawing will need a digital projector to continue showing new and recent releases from most studios. He said buying and installing that type of high-tech equipment would cost upward of $100,000 — money he doesn’t have. “It depends on whether or not we can swing financing to get a new projector,” he said. “We may not ever open again.” Film companies began moving away from 35mm prints last year and said they planned to completely do away with distribution last December, Lawing said. A post on the drive-in’s Facebook page last October reflected the growing dilemma. “We will be closed this weekend due to no 35mm prints being available,” it reads. Some of the film companies are doing away with the old film more quickly than others, but Lawing said the problem has become too big to work around. Myriad other problems have plagued the drive-in since 2011. It’s become routine for the outdoor cinema to open late in the season, shut down before warm weather ends, or sometimes close a couple of weeks in the middle of the summer. In 2011, storms damaged the large movie screen and roadside sign, requiring extensive repairs before the venue opened in June. In 2012, the Belmont Drive-In opened relatively on time but had to close unexpectedly for several weeks due to a faulty well on the property. It shut down again that year because of a rotten utility pole and other electric issues that were costly and time-consuming to fix, Lawing said. The bad well caused the drive-in to shut down early again last fall. Lawing said he’s holding out hope that he, his brother and his sister can upgrade the drive-in’s technology and stay in business. He is not confident. Closing permanently would pain him, he said, considering his family’s long ties to the business and nostalgia that exists there. “Everything’s up in the air right now,” he said. “It will be a big letdown if we can’t do it.”

thanks raysson…guess digital will close this one….

The Belmont Drive-In’s spring reopening was delayed due to storm damage – but they’re opening in a couple of weeks! http://www.gastongazette.com/news/count-57988-teresa-drive.html

Great Comment,Nick.

Thanks Mike.

Great Article Raysson.I met Mrs.Peggy several times.We would hit CAROWINDS in the day and drive across town on the interstate to Belmont.I oftened wondered if there was a short cut the locals used. But she was a top theatre person,one i would have been happy to work for. The BELMONT is listed as one of my favorite THEATRES.

You guys have great summer. Wish Augusta was much closer.

Hey Mike ,thanks for the kind words .Hope to see ya soon .Opening weekend went great.Alice in Wonderland and Valentines Day is what we opened with and had great weekend.Thank you to Gaston and surrouning areas for your support.We will at all cost keep BILL and PEGGY’S legacy going with your help.I am honored to contribute my part to keep a family friendly form of ent. in our area,and if we can do half as well as Bill and Peggy ,i think we’ll do just fine .Still got a long road ahead with the medical bills,but things WILL work out.By the way ,stumbled on this site when looking for old retro pics of Bill & Peggy’s Belmont DI, anybody with info let me know we,ll set up contacts.Again looking forward to seeing ya soon@BILL &PEGGY’S BELMONT DRIVE IN!!!!

Thank you everyone for speaking so dearly of Peggy ! Such a tragic and sudden loss for our family. As many of you know this is a very tight knit group and we have all intentions to continue to serve our community with a smile on our face but still a little sadness in our heart.For the last month and a half ,I, Roger my wife Melinda(Peggy’s daughter) the kids and countless friends have been getting the place ready.Fresh coat of paint on the screen(Looks awesome)!!!!We’ve all worked real hard to get the place presentable for your enjoyment !Looking forward to hearing from everyone and SREAD THE WORD:
OPENING WEEKEND FOR 2010 IS APRIL 9TH

If the drive-in stays open, her dream will be kept alive.

RIP Ms. Lawing…you left many great drive-in memories with many residents, I’m sure.