Admiral Twin sets groundbreaking ceremony for rebuilding effort
The Admiral Twin Drive-in will begin its rebuilding effort with a June groundbreaking ceremony, meaning the historic cinema will likely re-open in mid-August, according to co-owner Blake Smith.
Dirt will first be turned at 10:30 a.m. on June 11, a Saturday morning event that the public is invited to attend.
For all of the people who watched the all-wood, nine-story-screen tower burn to the ground last September, Smith would love to see even more show up and "bring their shovels," he said.
"Everybody is welcome. Tulsans have been a part of this effort from the start," he said, recalling the "Save the Admiral Twin" effort by the public, including the raising of $30,000, which is going toward the rebuilding.
Smith initially said he was aiming for a July 4 re-opening of the 60-year-old drive-in, where crews from Ark Wrecking were seen removing debris on Wednesday.
Everything from zoning issues and safety code concerns to replacing the burned-up electrical system and fabricating steel for the new tower have delayed the opening date to August.
"We tried to hit the ground running (after obtaining a Small Business Administration loan), but it hasn't happened that way," he said. "There's more red tape than the public realizes, more hoops to jump through".
"We all feel the pressure, because people want (the drive-in) back so badly."
As the owner of a seasonal business, no one wanted the drive-in to re-open sooner than Smith.
"Opening in August means that we've missed the best three months of the season for a drive-in," he said. "The drive-in is going to open this summer, but certainly not when I had hoped."
Plans call for not only the building of a two-sided steel screen tower, but also the construction of a new concession stand as well as bathrooms, with heating and air conditioning in the latter for the first time since the Admiral Twin opened in 1951.
The cost of construction and repairs has been estimated at $400,000 at the site where scenes of the Tulsa-based film "The Outsiders" was shot, located north of Interstate 244 at 7355 E. Easton St.
Smith said that with the opening date pushed back, he's inclined to keep the drive-in open later than ever this year.
"With an opening in August, I wouldn't mind being open until Thanksgiving if weather permits," he said. "I can assure you we won't be closing for the season on Labor Day this year."
