If Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker extends order, Skyview’s plans will be on hold again
While the Skyview Drive-In Theater is getting dozens of responses from customers who want to see movies beginning May 1, the St. Clair County Health Department said Wednesday that if Gov. J.B. Pritzker extends the stay-at-home order past April 30, the theater will not be allowed to reopen because of coronavirus concerns.
Steve Bloomer, owner of the theater, announced on Tuesday that he plans to reopen May 1 and began taking reservations from customers.
“That would be devastating,” Bloomer said if he has to once again cancel plans to reopen the theater.
In an effort to reduce the number of deaths linked to COVID-19, Pritzker last month ordered “non-essential” businesses such as bars and theaters to close. More than 1,500 people have died in coronavirus-related cases statewide as of Wednesday, health officials said.
Bloomer believes a theater such as his with outdoor parking and seating should be allowed by Pritzker to reopen in May. He also said he may have misunderstood what he heard from the health department before he made his announcement Tuesday.
Brenda Fedak, spokeswoman for the St. Clair County Health Department, said in an email to the News-Democrat on Wednesday that if Pritzker allows “non-essential” businesses such as theaters to reopen, Bloomer would be able to open on May 1 depending on how he would comply with social distancing guidelines and any other rules that would be in effect on May 1.
“We specifically told him we do not know if the Executive Order will be extended or not,” Fedak said in an email.
“Bottom line was, he can plan on opening, but if the Governor extends the Executive Order past April 30, 2020, he will have to abide by that order and not open.”
Bloomer said he plans to have new rules in place to address coronavirus concerns.
The changes include:
▪ The parking capacity will be reduced by half, with only one vehicle allowed between posts, instead of two. Customers can bring their own lawn chairs.
▪ The women’s restroom will be closed and 16 portable toilets will be available. They will be cleaned every 15 minutes.
▪ Customers won’t be allowed inside the concession stand but they can order items from a limited menu, and these items will be handed to the customer.
Bloomer previously had plans to open on March 20, then April 3 and then on Easter Sunday for church services but all of those plans have been canceled because of the stay-at-home orders.
The theater at 5700 North Belt West opened in 1949 and celebrated its 70th anniversary last summer.
