Montreal-area residents have watched as, over the course of just a few weeks, their summer plans evaporated before them. In the next few months, it will be up to boroughs, towns, and cities to quickly put together some summer programming to make up for all the cancelled events. One suburb has already gotten a head start. A new temporary drive-in theatre in Vaudreuil-Dorion aims to bring some fun to an otherwise bleak season.

"The idea for the drive-in was born out of the city council's desire to offer entertainment to its citizens this summer," a city communications officer told MTL Blog.

Vaudreuil-Dorion's usual summer events, like concerts in the Maison Valois park, outdoor movies, festivals, and activities at the Maison Félix Leclerc cultural centre, they explained, have become impossible due to the pandemic and public health restrictions.

"The drive-in theatre became an interesting alternative."

It will also enable visitors to practice social distancing.

"Our citizens will thus be able to have an interesting activity possible alone or with their family near their home."

The city plans to put up the theatre at the Cité-des-Jeunes high school campus with room to host about 90 cars.

The theatre will be open only in the month of July.

Residents of Vaudreuil-Dorion will be able to attend the two daily screenings at a "minimal cost."

[rebelmouse-image 26885098 photo_credit="Google Maps" expand=1 original_size="784x568"] Google Maps

Drive-in theatres were one of the first summer establishments to get a green light to reopen from the Government of Quebec.

Across the province, they'll be able to welcome patrons as of May 29.

Some of the most popular in the Montreal area have already announced plans to reopen on that date or the first week of June.

Maybe Vaudreuil-Dorion's concept will give Montreal leaders some inspiration? One can hope.

The metropolis and some of its boroughs have committed to opening up some streets for pedestrians and cyclists, however, to give them more space to make the most of summer.

The new Active Pathways Circuit will connect the city's major public parks with pedestrian-only thoroughfares and expanded bike lanes.

The goal of that initiative, Mayor Plante said at its rollout, is to give the population "a pleasant and safe city that will allow it to move without the hassle and to rediscover all that the metropolis has to offer."

More details about the Vaudreuil-Dorion drive-in are coming in June.

Stay tuned!

This article's cover image is used for illustrative purposes only.