BLACKSBURG (WSLS 10) - The Frank Theatres Cinebowl & Grille has been two years in the making.
"To be this close to the opening is pretty phenomenal," said general council for First & Main, Jeff Mitchell.
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The CineBowl, or as it's commonly referred to as the IMAX, is nearly complete. It's just a month from opening. The complex is nothing like Blacksburg or Southwest Virginia has seen before.
Crews are working around the clock to finish. The 16 lane bowling alley is in. A sports stadium with private booths for viewing multiple screens simultaneously is nearly complete, as are the 11 theaters including the highly anticipated IMAX.
"It's unheard of that IMAX would be in this Market size. They've been in and out of the market several times and they're very excited to be here."
Mitchell calls the completion of the complex a defining moment for Blacksburg.
"I think that at the end of the day this will be a defining moment for Blacksburg and for the center when this open because we hope to be drawing from throughout the region not just from the local Blacksburg community."
It's a draw that's expected to help the once troubled shopping center that saw businesses leave but worked to give others a reason to stay.
"We hope that the opening of the theater has the impact on their business that we're planning and we hope for them to be very successful."
The CineBowl & Grill is expected to open in early March.