Ground breaking planned for new cinema

Lights, camera, action

The spotlight will be shining on the Fallon Tribal Development Corporation when it breaks ground Thursday at 11 a.m. on a new Fox Peak Cinema across the street from Banner Churchill Community Hospital.

The FTDC is a federally chartered corporation of the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe.

Toni Burton, economic development specialist for the FTDC, said construction of the $11.5 million, eight-screen cinema will showcase wall-to-wall screens, an enhanced sound system, luxury Irwin seating and digital presentation in every auditorium. In addition, several auditoriums will have RealD-3D capability as well as the new Dolby Atmos® sound system.

For years, Burton said the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe has had a vision to construct a modern, state-of-the-art theater in Fallon, but the planning for it did not seriously begin until two years ago when a new director was hired.

The FPST owns a 37-acre parcel on the corner of East Williams Avenue and North Sherman Street. With Fox Peak anchoring the corner, Burton said the theater will be built in the middle of the parcel.

“People will be able to see the theater from the highway,” she said.

Jon Pishion, president of the FDTC, said the theater, once completed on Sherman Street, will benefit the entire community.

“The theater is all digital,” he said. “A lot of people have been asking for that.”

Burton said the FTDC did its homework when planning to develop a large theater.

“We completed a market feasibility study of Churchill County to verify if we could sustain a large movie theater,” Burton said.

In assessing the surrounding area, Burton said the new theater will be a draw for residents living in Austin, Lovelock, Hawthorne, Schurz, Silver Springs and Fernley, in addition to military personnel and their families assigned to Naval Air Station Fallon.

“Think about it,” she said. “It takes time and money to go to Reno. You get there, have dinner, do some shopping.”

Pishion agreed, saying the theater will keep more people here and also develop the East Williams Avenue corridor.

“When we open, this will also help the businesses on East Williams,” he said, adding that Fallon has primarily expanded businesses to the west of town.

On the other hand, Burton said the goal with the Fallon theater is to provide entertainment at a reasonable cost so patrons come back to see more movies. Additionally, she said the theater will reach out with special nights for the military, schools, etc., to broaden the appeal. Burton said the Fox Peak Cinema is projected to open this fall and will be a unique entertainment venue for Northern Nevada.

Tricor Construction of Reno will be the lead contractor on the project. Burton said Tricor will use as many local contractors as possible on the project.