Cinergy Cinemas set to open in early June
Posted On: Thursday, Feb. 26 2009 04:51 AM
By Alicia Lacy
Killeen Daily HeraldNo one looking at the metal framework, the dangling wiring and the fresh concrete inside the walls of the speculative building in Copperas Cove (not to mention the dirt-covered parking lot) would've imagined that the 40,000-square-foot building was the beginning of a mega-entertainment, cinema-eatery complex. The huge new entertainment facility is slated to open in early June.
However, Jeff Benson and contractor Tony Prutch knew different as they guided groups of 15 through the skeletal building and vividly explained with excitement where each of the eight theaters would be located, the party room, arcade, main lobby and the two-story laser tag arena.
Filled with excitement, Copperas Cove community leaders gathered at the site of Cinergy Cinemas to welcome Benson and wife Jamie Benson, owners of the soon-to-be entertainment center, to the area.
Attendees at the event had the option to tour the work in progress.
Carol Mills, former Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation executive director, got the ball rolling for the estimated $7 million project with the help of the city, CCEDC and the Copperas Cove Industrial Foundation.
The new theater will bring in an estimated $3.5 million in tax revenue, create approximately 50 jobs for the area and give families something to do.
"Not only are we excited about the growth in Cove, the fact that we not only expanded our tax base and brought some good tax revenue into our community, but we gave our people a boost in quality of life, so there's something extra to do in the evenings," CCEDC Treasurer Fred Chavez said.
Mayor John Hull said he is excited about the jobs the new theater will create and the way it will fit in with other development in the area.
However, he's most excited about the laser tag.
"I don't know what it is but, it sounds fun," Hull said jokingly.
The Bensons opened traditional movie theaters in Marble Falls and Granbury in 1999.
In 2001, the two began opening Movie Tavern locations in Fort Worth. That project ultimately produced 12 full-service theaters and merged with Cinemark USA in 2005.
The Bensons sold their interest in Movie Tavern in May, and then began negotiations with the CCEDC in early June.
The first-of-its-kind, full-service theater will include eight screens with the possibility of adding up to six more, stadium seating, a two-story, 3,350-square-foot laser tag arena, large arcade, party rooms, a menu filled with traditional concessions and food cooked to order and delivered to patrons' seats, beer and wine for customers of age, tray tables at every seat, vintage light fixtures, online ticketing and other amenities.
Jeff Benson said he's filled up every space in the theater's lobby.
In addition to the development of the new theater, the CCEDC is still working on the Shops of Five Hills shopping center, which will be located directly across the street from Cinergy Cinemas.
"We feel this project will be a catalyst to continue retail and commercial development in this area," CCEDC Marketing Director Monica Hull said about the upcoming developments in the area.
Contact Alicia Lacy at
alacy@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7476.