Theater expected to top Fandango experience

The massive construction project surrounding Casino Fandango will be completed in stages over 2007, starting with the opening of the new theater early this summer.

"We're shooting for July 4 weekend, which is the opening of the fourth 'Harry Potter' movie," said Rafe Cohen, co-owner of Galaxy Theatres, which operates nine theaters across the country. "We will feature all digital projection and also we will have a three-dimensional system."

Hiring is expected to start in May, headed by a general manager brought in from another theater location.

"I was up in Carson a week ago and it's exciting for us," he said. "It's nice to see a new theater under construction. We enjoy it and we know Carson City is excited."

Steve Forester, general manager of Casino Fandango said the theater will create buzz about the entire expansion project.

Commuters on South Carson Street will look over at the 48,000-square-foot Casino Fandango and see a chain hotel in front of the parking garage and a new 10-screen movie theater on the hill directly above the casino, which will also have another 10,000-square feet built on to it. Fandango's $11 million, four-story hotel will add another 100 rooms to the Carson City market.

With traffic expected to increase with the addition of a movie theater, Carson Gaming, the land owner and developer that operates Casino Fandango, is spending about $1 million to improve the section of South Curry Street from Koontz Lane to Clearview Drive.

Contractor Tom Metcalf expects these improvements to be completed in the spring.

"I'm most proud that an out-of-town owner had the faith to pick a local contractor," he said about Carson Gaming, controlled by Las Vegas company Olympia. "We have weekly meetings with the city and we're working as a team, the owner, designer, contractor and city to make these projects a reality."

Fandango timeline

• Curry Street improvements will be completed in March

• Galaxy Theatres will be completed first part of July

• The casino expansion in the summer

• The hotel in fall

- Source: Metcalf Builders Inc.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.