Raising the curtain on a new movie era

Ever since he was a boy growing up in Fallon, Ross Hill, his brother and friends spent many hours at the downtown theater watching their favorite movies. Over the years, the quality of movies improved as did the quality of theaters with multi-screens and Dolby Sound.

“For me this is exciting,” said Hill, the Paiute Shoshone Tribe’s human resource manager, as he strolled inside the new Fox Peak Cinema. The theater opens to the public today at noon after a ribbon cutting and grand opening 30 minutes prior. “I remember going to the old one forever. It served its purpose and had its day, but this new one takes it to a new whole level.”

Toni Burton, the economic development specialist for the Fallon Tribal Development Corporation, has been overwhelmed with emotions since plans were announced earlier this year to build an $11.5 million eight-screen multiplex cinema east of downtown Fallon. During the day, workers have been showing snippets of movies and testing the sound systems while others take their breaks in one of the theaters.

“I was ready to cry when the movies were playing,” Burton said. “The whole process is amazing to sit in a beautiful theater, the top of the line. I can’t believe it’s all happening.”

Fox Peak Cinema features 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 that makes viewers feel as though they are part of the action.

Tribal Chairman Len George said the opening of the cinema has been “ a long time coming.”

George, who has been involved with the project from the beginning, said it is exciting to see the theater in its final stages.

“I hope the community of Fallon and tribal members see a movie,” George said. “You don’t have to go to Reno to see a movie. There’s one in our backyard. It has been a good project for Fallon and our tribe.”

George said construction provided many jobs, and the cinema will employ 30 full and part-time employees.

“The benefit is that it brings more jobs to the community,” he added.

Jim Sheehan, owner of the Ironwood Cinema in Minden, has assisted FPST since the idea for a new Fallon cinema first developed more than two years ago. He said members of FPST visited his cinema to see the facility and talk to him.

“He has taught us the theater business and how it works,” Burton pointed out. “He has stuck with us through thick and thin.”

Sheehan, who has been in the theater business for more than 40 years, has been looking forward to opening day for months, adding all the equipment and supplies have arrived on time.

Sheehan beams like a proud father.

“I’m also excited. One of the reasons is the equipment we have in the booth is the finest you will have in the state,” he said.

Fox Peak Cinema becomes only the fifth theater in the state to have Dolby Atmos sound. Three are in Las Vegas and the fourth one is in Sparks.

And the concessions, according to Sheehan, have the best popcorn in the valley.

Theater manager Tom Floyd said tickets are $7.25 for matinees before 6 p.m. and the price goes up to $10. There are discounts for seniors and military.

He also said the cinema has Bargain Tuesdays, where every seat for every movie during the day is $7.25.

Burton said a separate entrance to the theater ties into North Sherman Street opposite Banner Hospital and about two blocks north of the Fox Peak convenience store and gas station.