Cameo: A Star Cinema Sequal

By Samantha Sommerfield

For those who grew up in the Saanich Peninsula, a lot of fond memories may revolve around Star Cinema: a local movie theatre in small-town Sidney by the Sea. This independent theatre has been a staple of the area since the mid-1990s. As the years pass in the developing neighbourhood, it continues to hold its ground — literally. Community movie theatres that have a strong support behind them are a rare find these days, and this one is something the locals are deeply proud to have and hold within their community.

“It’s one of those things where the people who work there have worked there forever, and people stop in just to chat and say hello. It’s almost a hybrid between a movie theatre and a hangout place,” says Margie Shenduk, director of operations at Casman Properties. “There is a certain draw to this theatre that the people who live here have. Even people who grew up in this area and moved away will make the drive to bring their children here to watch a movie, because of that nostalgia.”

So, when the land was bought by Casman Properties to start construction of the Cameo development, a deal needed to be agreed upon — purchase this land with the caveat that the theatre needs to stay. It was then that the Cameo development became an even more interesting project.

“Everything about this building is unique,” says Shenduk.

The building breakdown starts at the main floor with the much-admired Star Cinema and two commercial spaces. As you ascend the six-storey building, you will soon find condominiums that cater to a variety of residents from micro-suites and one-bedroom units to moderatelysized two-and three-bedroom units and luxury penthouses.

“You could have multiple demographics of people who will coexist in this building, but other than riding the elevator together they won’t notice or hear each other very much in their day to day,” says Shenduk.

To break up those demographics within a single building posed an interesting

design and structural challenge. However, since inception there has been nothing cookie-cutter about this building.

“We had to actually approach many experts to see how to go about certain things, and it forced us to get creative. You can’t build a condo building with the same rules that apply to a movie theatre and we can’t build a movie theatre with the same rules that apply to a condo building,” says Shenduk.

One of those consultants was RJC Engineers.

“What is unique about this project is the need for a mix of different unit types. Unlike a typical five- or six-storey woodframe building where you have the same unit type throughout, this building steps back quite a bit,” says Cameron Marshall, project engineer at RJC Engineers. “It was a very challenging wood frame to work on, as we had limited opportunity to provide an efficient seismic system, with shear walls aligning through the building.”

To help with this challenge, they used a high-performance acoustic floor assembly system in lieu of a more traditional concrete topping; at six storeys, the weight of concrete would be too much for the Cameo. “We have done this on a few projects where instead of using concrete toppings we would use an acoustic mat which would reduce the weight of the woodframe portion of the building by 30 to 40 per cent,” says Marshall. “This reduces the seismic loads considerably, and also reduces the weight of building supported by the level-two suspended slab.”

The RJC team had to think unconventionally as they explored design options that would reduce weight while maintaining the integrity of the wideopen space that a movie theatre requires.

“I’m amazed by the team and the coordination that happened. It was a fun design challenge, and I am really happy with where it is right now,” says Marshall.

It is widely known that every project comes with its own set of challenges. As with the case of the Cameo development, the solution will always present itself if put in the hands of the right team. To bring attainable housing to the community of Sidney while reinvigorating the local theatre, Casman Properties knew that an innovative approach was needed to help keep memories of the Star Cinema living on for generations to come.

“The community of Sidney is an absolute gem of Canada that I don’t think a lot of people know about. When you are there you realize its beauty and accessibility,” says Shenduk. “I am excited to be a part of the energy in that town. It is going through a shift and we were able to bring a new, high-quality building in but still respect that town charm that they love.” n

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