Over 10 years ago, there used to be two movie theatres in this general area - one on Barnet Highway and one at the Pinetree mall.

Both are now gone. The area's population has risen considerably, with Port Moody alone having risen by 50 per cent over that time.

Given that a standard movie is only some 100 minutes in length, a return drive of some 30 minutes or more to Silver City Coquitlam is just unacceptable.

Because of this gross imbalance, it would have to be an outstanding movie or I just don't bother with attempting to attend a movie in the area.

Some of us also do not "relate" to that area. In addition, many have admirably arranged their lifestyles to being car-less, but public transit to-andfrom Silver City in Coquitlam is all but non-existent, especially when exiting a movie after 10 p.m.

Finally, teenagers on a movie date with no vehicle access cannot essentially use Silver City Coquitlam because of this major handicap.

Alternate options are worse. Notwithstanding the decrepit Dolphin Theatre in North Burnaby, the closest theatre complex to the west is a daunting 35-kilometre trek to International Village in east Vancouver.

Surely, we can do better in the Tri-Cities within the northeast part of the district.

John J. Scholtz Port Moody