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Rifle movie theater project is ‘full-steam ahead’

John Gardner
Rifle Correspondent
Post Independent
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
Contributed illustrationThis artist rendering shows the seven-screen Brenden Multiplex Theater, which is to be built on the old Valley Lumber site on West Second Street in downtown Rifle.
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RIFLE, Colorado – Work on Rifle’s newest attraction, the Brenden Movie Theater complex, is well on its way at the Old Valley Lumber site. The seven-plex cinema on West Second Street is expected to open in November.

The deal was developed between Brenden Theatre Corp, the city of Rifle and the Rifle Regional Economic Development Corp., and it passed a March 4 back-out date without a blip.

“It’s full-steam ahead,” said assistant city manager Matt Sturgeon.



In the recent weeks, the lumberyard buildings have all been cleared from the site.

“If someone wanted, or could use, the site materials, we offered to let those materials go and be reused for those purposes,” Sturgeon said.



Sturgeon said the main building had a significant amount of asbestos, so was not permitted to be salvaged.

In early March, the Economic Development Corp. presented plans for the new construction in a meeting with city council, staff and residents.

“The city wanted to make sure that the architecture is up to the standards of the city, and both parties are satisfied with it,” Sturgeon said.

The next step will be for the city to get a foundation pad prepared so that construction of the actual facility can begin.

Brenden Theatre Corp. operates more than 90 screens in seven theaters in California, Nevada and Arizona. This will be the first theatre in Colorado for the company.

The city-owned land will be leased to Brenden Theatre for 10 years with two five-year options following.

“The theater will create jobs and it will help diversify the economy,” said Michael Langhorne, chair of the Economic Development Corp. “It brings people from all around the region to Rifle to shop and dine, and go to the movies.”


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