Grandview Drive-in screen demolished amid protests

The closing credits began rolling this week on the Grandview Drive-in, as property owner Ed Carbeck began demolishing the screen tower which had been an area landmark since 1950. The Grandview was a beautiful and unique place to spend an evening under the stars while watching the stars of the silver screen in images 60 feet tall.

The Grandview had been closed since the end of the 2005 summer, and did not reopen for another season in 2006, 2007, 0r 2008 due to a development proposal to build a new "Super" Wal-Mart on the site, despite the availability of many other vacant properties in the area. To tear down a rare and precious local attraction t0 build another obscene big box store is a travesty and an insult to the community. Due to the selfishness and greed of Edward Carbeck, this drive-in sat idle and rotting for three full years while Wal-Mart went though the process of "convincing" the Town of Evans to allow them to build on the site.

Edward Carbeck, Wal-Mart, and the public officials in the Town of Evans should all be ashamed of themselves for depriving their community the enjoyment of the Grandview Drive-in for the last three years, and for all the years going forward. And all for what? Another corporate mega-store that sucks the uniqueness out of a community.

A family oriented drive-in theatre is an asset to its community, somewhat like a public library or playground. When you take those things away, life becomes less enjoyable. What child is going to have fond memories as a grown-up of spending time at a Wal-Mart with his or her parents, siblings, and friends? The Grandview Drive-in will be missed by a great many people.

It would be sad to live in a world without drive-in theatres.

Rick