By SCOTT AUST/Greater Garden City
Christmas 2025 could see a new state-of-the-art cinema center opening in Garden City, bringing a new entertainment venue that will include two advanced Iconic Mega-Screen theaters as well as a beer and wine bar, outdoor beer garden with large format screen, 14-lane Duckpin Bowling alley and an entertainment zone with arcade games and virtual reality elements.
Stetson Snell, CEO of Texas-based ICON Cinemas, said the ICONIC screens are the same size as IMAX screens. They are Premium Large Format screens with high resolution and upgraded sound systems which are what moves the movie studies to give the company preference on first-run movies, sometimes even days earlier than the advertised release date.
“The studios really like that (PLF screens) because that’s the type of environment they want their movies shown,” Snell said.
The cinema center is proposed for property located along Kansas Avenue in northeast Garden City east of Russell Child Development Center.
ICON operates other entertainment venues in Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico, but Snell said the Garden City entertainment center will be the first of its kind for the company in terms of the total concept.
“This is the first time we’re doing on outdoor screen (in addition to the two ICON mega-screens indoors) with the beer garden. Our other locations have bowling, arcade and cinema so that’s not new to us. But this is the first of its kind with this type of family entertainment center with all of these outdoor elements going on,” he said. “As far as I’m aware, this will probably be the first to offer an outdoor movie theater screen with the outdoor entertainment.”
Plans for the outdoor area include a giant LED screen capable of showing first-run movies, hosting sporting event viewing, and a stage for small music concerts. The outdoor part will seat 200-300 people but is large enough to handle more than 1,000 people with standing room areas.
“It’s a big space. It will be a versatile space,” Snell said. “It will just be a really cool open community space that people will be able to enjoy. We can host smaller concerts, lots of different things outdoors.”
Snell heard about Garden City at the International Council of Shopping Centers conference in Dallas earlier this year where he happened to meet Finney County Economic Development staff and learned more about the community.
“You know, I was kind of listening out of one ear and talking to somebody else at the same time and I heard some of the numbers she (FCEDC CEO Lona DuVall) was saying that the city does in terms of retail sales, and it really caught our attention,” Snell said. “This really isn’t the size market we typically go for, but after seeing the numbers and the draw of the entire community from a big radius, we thought it would be great for us.”
The estimated project cost is $8 million. ICON is seeking city incentives to help build it. The Garden City Commission is considering a Memorandum of Understanding this afternoon, Nov. 5.
The MOU does not obligate either party. It states that potential public incentives such as tax increment financing, community improvement district, special obligation bonds or other city incentives may be looked at. It also states a financial feasibility study and traffic impact study will be performed.
Snell said if the process moves forward as planned, construction could start in early 2025 with the goal of completing the project by the end of 2025. Of course, as with any project, the timeline is only an estimate.
The following information was provided by ICON’s initial feasibility study in June describing the main parts of the project:
THE CINEMA
The newly constructed state-of-the-art cinema with 2 Iconic Mega-Screens will endeavor to
attract a general movie going audience, specifically targeting its local patron base by offering:
· Current first-run studio movies
· Attentive customer service
· The latest generation presentation technology
· Two Iconic Mega Screens, each a state-of-the-art premium large format screen
· Each to include 255 latest generation luxury reclining seats
This theater will have access to all films from the major studios, as well as all content from
independent film distributors.
BEER AND WINE BAR
This theater will include a full Beer and Wine bar in addition to other concession options. Beverages ranging from craft beers to a variety of quality wines provide an important added incentive for adult patrons when considering their various entertainment options.
Theaters are currently investing heavily in bars and lounges as a desirable added feature to
reserved luxury seating. These bar and lounge components are among the latest array of premium services aimed at encouraging consumers to remain at the cinema for extended periods that they might otherwise spend at nearby bars or restaurants.
OUTDOOR BEER GARDEN
This theater will also include an Outdoor Beer Garden which will be a unique attraction when combined with a 40ft screen which will be used to present movies currently in release in the Garden City market as well as special unique programming.
Having been popular throughout Europe for more than 200 years, Outdoor Beer Gardens should become an attractive new concept to patrons in the US market. They allow patrons and their families to enjoy a relaxed social setting in a safe environment. Consumers are looking to escape to a stress-free environment to enjoy the company of their friends and family.
Often dog friendly, everyone is welcome to enjoy the Beer Garden. A beer garden business offers craft beer and often food in an outdoor or semi-outdoor setting. Many beer gardens aim to be the place where locals come to relax and enjoy entertainment like Movies, Sport TV, Live music and Outdoor/Board games while getting drinks and food. What makes beer gardens unique from other bars and restaurants is their focus on comfortable outdoor seating and beer – sometimes regional, like German beer, and sometimes on local craft beers.
THE DUCKPIN BOWLING ALLEY
Duckpin bowling, especially in a non-traditional bowling setting, is a sport that encourages large groups to come together for fun, food and drinks. This 14-lane facility will include the latest in Duckpin bowling industry equipment and will generate income through bowling, shoe rentals and food and beverage sales.
THE GAMING ZONE
An arcade symbolizes fun and affordable carefree times for all visitors where young and young minded alike can enjoy a test of skill against a machine or friends and family. This element will generate its sales through Arcade games, Virtual reality sales, Prizes and food and beverage sales.
