Odessans made memories at the Old Regal Theater. The theater is now transitioning into the building's uniqueness, its heritage, and its entertainment value for the future.
ODESSA, Texas — A new form of entertainment is coming to Odessa and replacing an old icon. The Regal Permian Palace at Music City Mall closed early last year to make way for the next generation of Odessa families.
Demolition is underway to transform the movie theater into an urban air park, but officials at the site say it's a unique project, not just for the transformation, but also for its legacy and future. They say it's a project.
“1,900 dump trucks were brought in, 11 movie theaters were destroyed, and 22,000 seats were removed. This is an overwhelming feat,” said Ginamarie Soto, owner of Urban Air Odessa. .
As the credits roll in the luxurious theater, a new movie begins.
“It's the first Urban Air to convert a movie theater, an ultrasound movie theater into an Urban Air, and the ceiling height is amazing for Sky Rider,” Soto said. “When you put the go-kart track there's incredible depth inside the movie theater demo. Urban He's primed for air and it's just the perfect scenery.”
Urban Air Odessa is an adventure park that turns rubble into a racetrack.
“When you walk through the halls of an old theater, you have to have some kind of 3D vision in your head of how all of that fits into this theater when you replace it with outdoor trampolines and go-karts,” said Houston. Luke Snow, construction supervisor at Wits, said.
Music City Mall general manager Greg Morgan said the area also includes Legacy.
“There’s a lot of nostalgia about this building, and we want to preserve some of that,” Morgan said. “Some of the original pieces that were here, the new tenants are going to try to incorporate into the new business as well. Like, 'Oh, I remember that little thing, that little part of the sign.' If I could say that, it would be a good thing. ”
A very meaningful sign for Odessans.
“We want to make sure we auction off some of the signs for charity, so we're working on that,” Soto said. I send back to you. ”
For one couple, a billboard is history.
“A man came in and said he was getting married for the first time in 10 years with someone he met at Movie Theater 1, and he wanted a sign for his wedding last weekend. It was really special,” Soto said.
While new entertainment arrives, some things never change.
“A man gave it to his future wife from Theater 1 because she wanted an autograph. I hope their kids have their first date here and enjoy it,” Soto said.
To celebrate what this means for Odessa businesses, an official groundbreaking ceremony will be held by city leaders at Music City Mall on Monday, May 8th at 1:00 p.m.