The decision to move the April 6th City Council meeting from Council Chambers to the Ski Hi Event Center proved to be a good one. A large crowd was on hand to take part in a discussion on the future of the Vali 3 theaters. You can view the City Council meeting, citizen comments and see the vote here.
The Council heard from roughly twenty people speaking in support of either the Buffalo Broadcasting of Colorado proposal or a proposal brought by the Valley Church of the Nazarene. The two proposals were vastly different and those who spoke to the Council highlighted both the positives and negatives of each of the plans.
In the end the Council voted four in favor of the Buffalo Broadcasting proposal with one abstention. The lone abstention came from Mayor Dale Becker who explained he was a member of the Valley Church of the Nazarene and didn’t feel it was appropriate for him to vote.
The decision clears the way for lease/purchase negotiations to begin between the city and Buffalo Broadcasting of Colorado. the negotiations will likely take thirty to sixty days. Once the deal is consummated, Buffalo Broadcasting can begin programming the theaters.
The BBC plan is in three phases. The first phase is to lease the building and change the programming content. As soon as the lease/purchase agreement is signed, new showtimes and movie features will be phased in. Those would include:
Addition of a Wednesday Matinee for Seniors
New Spanish Speaking Wednesday Movie Night
Addition of Thursday Night Movies
Addition of Friday Matinee
Addition of Saturday Matinee
Addition of Sunday Matinee
Addition of Denver Broncos & NFL Sunday Ticket on the Big Screen
Addition of Free Family Movies
Addition of Gamers Tournament on the Big Screen
Food Truck Day/Non Event Concessions
Also during phase 1, BBC will apply for an alcohol permit and testing will be done to determine the amount of asbestos (if any) in the theaters and plans will be drawn for the theaters remodeling. The remodeling will include bringing the restrooms up to code, constructing a stage in the main theater, remodeling the lobby to allow for tables and chairs updated concession area, and the housing of music memorabilia such as gold records and autographed guitars. The smallest theater would be converted into radio studios and the area behind the screens would be converted into a dressing room/apartment complete with kitchenette, restroom and shower.
Once the stage is constructed the following events will be added. Some of these events could be held during phase one, with the rental of a temporary stage.
Addition of Monthly Concert Events:
Addition of Comedy Nights:
Addition of Repertory Theater Nights:
Addition of Valley Wide Corporate Corn Hole League
Phase 3 will include moving the radio stations into the newly constructed studios and taking full ownership of the building.
More details will follow including timelines for each phase once the lease has been negotiated.
Buffalo Broadcasting of Colorado is humbled by the overwhelming support we received from the community for our proposal. We look forward to serving the community by making the Vali 3 theaters more vibrant and accessible by diversifying its content to serve every demographic segment of the community.
Thank you Monte Vista! We will do our best to make you proud!