New Galaxy Theater rules irk teenagers

By Dave Frank

Appeal Staff Writer

Carson City teenagers are criticizing a new Galaxy Fandango Theatre policy they say is unfair and unnecessary.

The multiplex will no longer admit customers younger than 18 years old after 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays who do not have a parent or guardian at least 21 years old with them.

The theater started the policy Friday in response to a fight, said lead manager Joanna Rowley, because it wanted to keep away "the wrong crowd."

She said she has heard many complaints from teens and parents since the theater started the new rules.

Jordan Nash, an 18-year-old Carson High School senior, said everyone shouldn't be punished for the mistakes of a few.

Watching movies is also one of the few things underage teens have to do in the city, he said, and Friday and Saturday nights are usually when they go to the theater.

"It's come down to bowling now," he said.

Nash himself can go to the movies anytime, but he has friends he can't go to the movies with any more.

He said many students at the high school are upset and he and some others want to talk with theater managers about the policy.

Teens are essentially shut out of the theater on Friday and Saturday nights now, said Tyler Jennings, 16, because most students won't go with their parents.

"When I want to go with my friends, my mom doesn't come," Jennings said. "She understands that."

Now teenagers don't have anything to do on the weekends, she said, and driving to Reno is too expensive.

Cassy Carter, 16, said bowling can be fun, but that's also expensive and it can be difficult to get a lane.

"The bowling alley is always full of old people and parents," she said.

Anthony Meleo, 15, said he was already mad over Northgate Movies 10, a $1 theater, shutting down this month.

He said maybe teenagers will get together and ask Galaxy managers to change the policy, but he doesn't know if it would work.

Without the theater, Nash said, teens might get in trouble.

"What else do kids do in Carson?" he said.

• Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.