Starburst

By Melissa Meehan
THE likes of Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Julia Roberts could be soon making their way to Pakenham – on the big screen that is.
After years of locals pleading for a cinema, Stadium 4 Cinemas director Gerald Kirk said the company was interested in opening a movie theatre in town.
“We did have a look at some land in Henry Street back in 2001,” Mr Kirk said.
“The proposal was for a four screen cinema – but it all fell through.”
He said Stadium 4 Cinemas, already in Leongatha and Geelong, would be interested in bringing a cinema to Pakenham.
“Pakenham and surrounds is one of the biggest growing areas which makes it an interesting area to move into for us,” he said.
“Now that it has been brought to our attention that the locals want a cinema we will definitely further investigate the option.”
Since 2001, Pakenham’s population alone has grown from 11,000 to more than 20,000 in 2010.
Mr Kirk said Stadium 4 Cinemas would aim to lease a building rather than building its own – but it would certainly look at any other ideas as well.
He said that he didn’t believe the larger operators would move into town because they already had cinemas at Fountain Gate, Morwell and Warragul.
“We are interested, and not just about bringing cinemas to town, we would also look at the whole concept,” he said.
“This means entertainment, movies, games – you name it.”
It seems the idea would be well accepted by all in the Cardinia Shire, with support from residents and the council.
The need for a cinema has even come up on the Gazette’s Facebook page, with many people saying it was exactly what the town needed, especially for the younger population.
Kris Bernard said that movies would provide entertainment for both the young and adults.
“It is a shame there are so few recreational activities in town,” she said.
“There is plenty of home building, but where are the leisure activity areas for all the families?”
Adeline Johnson said if a cinema came to town, she would spend much less time in Brighton and Kim Doake said she was sick and tired of having to drive to Fountain Gate to see a movie.
Cardinia Shire spokesperson Andrea Bortolin said the council would support a private enterprise bringing cinemas to the area.
Hoyts, Village and Reading cinemas did not respond to the Gazette at time of print.