Gladstone cinemas owners Ann-Maree and Chris Struik to open cinemas at Yeppoon

A Yeppoon shopping complex is undergoing a $25 million redevelopment including the installation of cinemas which will have gold class. Check out the details here.

By July next year, Yeppoon residents and visitors will be able to sit back and have food and drink delivered to them in their La-Z-Boy gold class seating while they watch the big screen at the town’s new cinema.

Construction has been steaming ahead on a $25 million redevelopment of the Bay Plaza on James Street, with stage two of the project formally commencing on Tuesday.

Plans were revealed in April for the redevelopment which includes the construction of a cinema in the centre’s former Target store.

Gladstone Cinemas owners Ann-Maree and Chris Struik will operate the Yeppoon cinemas, which will have four cinema rooms, including two for gold class.

Ann- Maree and Chris Struik will operate the Yeppoon Cinemas.

The husband and wife have operated the Gladstone venue for the past 23 years and were in the industry for 10 years before that, with venues in Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and Caloundra.

They had been approached a few times about cinemas at Yeppoon but the population wasn’t strong enough to support it, and now as the coastal towns surges with newcomers, it is more feasible.

The entertainment industry has been one of the hardest hit throughout the Covid pandemic, with social distancing regulations in cinemas very hard to manage.

Ms Struik admitted it was unbelievable they were taking on a second location at this time.

“We started the talks just before Covid, had it happened right in the middle of Covid, I’m not sure we would, I still wonder if we are a little bit crazy,” she said.

“Covid was a catastrophe for the cinemas, it was dire straits worldwide, but we believe that there is a future in the cinema.

“People want to go there together, it’s a safe place for teenagers to come.”

The way of cinemas has changed, Ms Struik said, in that you don’t need a massive 400-seat auditorium anymore.

“We are going to do more bespoke type seats … a more intimate type of experience,” she said.

“Streaming services have certainly changed some peoples' viewing habits but the big blockbusters always need to be seen on the big screen, just for the screen and the sound.”

While they are an independent cinema company, they still have just the same access to entertainment as the big cinema companies do, and some more.

“There is no difference, whatever is playing in Rocky we will be playing as well,” Ms Struik said.

“These days blockbusters are king, however being independent we can go and get some of the old catalogue if we think that might work in Yeppoon … we could run a retro movie week or those sorts of things.”

The cinema will employ around 30 people and is scheduled to open in July 2022.

All of the other works are also expected to be completed by then.

Callan Sipthorp, TLPC, Doug Rapson, Ram, Anna Brown, Westpac and Neil Middleton, Hutchinson Builders project manager at the sod turning of stage two of the Bay Plaza redevelopment.

Ram Essential Services Property Fund bought the plaza in 2017, the first shopping centre for the company.

“Since acquisition it has always been our vision to reposition the centre into a thriving community hub,” director asset management Doug Rapson said.

“It is exciting to be here to announce the commencement of the major development.

“Once complete, the $25 million development will encompass a medical services and health precinct, which is underway, and introduction of pharmacy and GP clinic in the main centre.”

After this, the casual food and beverage precinct with outdoor dining will be built along with the entertainment precinct.

The centre is very much a construction zone at the moment, with blocked off walkways and fencing.

“It’s always easier to be able to come in and do everything in one go,” Mr Rapson said.

“Thankfully we have some very forgiving tenants, they understand there is a vision here that is going to add a lot of value to the local community and businesses.

“The main works are upgrading the walls, ceiling, repositioning tenancies and opening new tenants.

“At the moment we are able to close off 60 per cent off of the mall and then we are hoping as we get closer to finishing the project, we will be able to open up new tenancies as they come online.”