St Ives: drive in cinema set to open on Sydney’s north shore
The first drive-in cinema to operate on Sydney’s north shore in almost 40 years is set to open to patrons next month following a campaign by residents, local councillors and movie-lovers.
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One of the north shore’s largest open spaces is set to be transformed into an open air cinema following a campaign by residents and movie lovers across Sydney.
Gates of the new Sunset Drive-In Cinema will open at St Ives Showground from October 1 with a schedule of more than 20 movies set to be screened throughout the month.
It comes after a campaign to establish the drive-in reached 1900 signatures and was backed by Ku-ring-gai councillors with supporters saying it would create a “community space” for families and “make greater use of an under-utilised facility”.
Up to 180 cars per session will be accommodated at the drive-in which will also offer audience members with food and drink.
Mayor Jennifer Anderson said tickets were already flying out the door – less than 24 hours after organisers announced the event’s launch on Thursday.
“Everyone is looking for something safe and enjoyable to do at this time and we believe this will be very popular with the public,” she said.
“(It) also fits in well with our plans to generate more visitors to the showground”.
The idea for the drive-in had been prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic with campaigners saying the cinema could support residents averse to sitting in packed movie theatres.
“The north shore does not currently have a drive-in – it would be an ideal entertainment venue,” petition organiser Isabelle Lewis said.
“This is particularly relevant in today’s COVID-19 climate where social distancing is important and will be in the future.”
Titles set to screen in the first month include Frozen, Tenet, the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pulp Fiction.
Strict COVID-19 measures will be in place including audience members asked to remain seated in their vehicles during screenings.
The announcement comes amid a renewed popularity in the drive-in theatres with new setups at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter carpark and Blacktown screening to sellout audiences following their openings in May.
A drive-in cinema previously operated at a nearby site in French’s Forest until its closure in 1984 after screening hundreds of films from 1956.
The new cinema at St Ives will run from 6pm nightly with films starting at 7pm.