A massive movie theatre complex is the first of several development announcements expected to come out in the next few days for the Evans Road Connector project.

On Thursday, Cineplex Entertainment announced its intentions to develop a 31,000 square foot theatre complex within the soon-to-be constructed Eagle Landing development, near the Evans Road Connector.

It's the first business to stake a claim to the 700,000 square foot destination power centre and retail village, which is located on Squiala First Nation land.

The theatre is only the beginning, said Lawrence Rank, chairman of Property Development Group, which has partnered with Squiala First Nation to develop the site.

"Cineplex is just the first of quite a few big projects coming," said Rank. "Our company has been working on this for close to three years, and now we're ready to start moving forward ... when I say there's big announcements coming, I mean big."

When the Evans Road Connector project was first announced in 2007, the buzz was all about the development potential for the area. A large-format shopping district, including big-box retail, was touted in the plans, as was a new hotel/casino resort.

The movie theatre complex is actually one of the smaller tenants coming in, said Rank.

Galaxy Cinema will feature eight auditoriums with more than 1,600 seats, ample legroom, wall-to-wall, giant curved screens and digital surround sound. Each auditorium will include all-stadium, rocker seating, which means each row will be 18 inches higher than the row in front of it, and each seat will recline back so that movie-goers will no longer have to sit stiff in their seats.

"The advantage of stadium seating is that movie-goers will be able to experience a clear, unobstructed view of the movie, whether they've got a five-foot person or a six-foot person sitting in front of them," said Sourtzis.

All theatres will also be equipped with digital DLP projection systems that will project large, crystal-clear images every time they're shown. RealD 3D technology will also be installed for an immersive 3D experience.

In addition to the latest movies, Galaxy Cinema will also be showing a wide variety of other entertainment offerings on the big screen, from live theatre and opera productions to championship sports games and concerts.

Galaxy Cinema will be the third theatre operating in Chilliwack, which is already home to The Paramount, managed by Landmark Cinemas, and the locally owned Cottonwood 4 Cinemas.

The Evans Road Connector is part of a multi-million dollar roadway connecting Evans Parkway, north of the freeway, to Ashwell Road. The interchange is a partnership between the City of Chilliwack, the federal and provincial governments, and Squiala First Nation.

Squiala will be managing its own reserve lands and collecting leasing revenues.

When the project was first announced, Squiala Chief Sam Jimmie said that the revenue generated from the economic development of the site would make it possible for the construction of a new administration office with a community hall, as well as opportunities for classrooms, daycare and an elders' lodge to be built, and would create stable and sustainable economic opportunities for the Squiala First Nation.

The Chief was not available for comment at press time.

The overpass is expected to be completed sometime this month.

kbartel@theprogress.com