Ashley Cinemas, one of two movie theater complexes in Valdosta, will be purchased by VSU’s Auxiliary Services Real Estate Foundation if a proposal to the Board of Regents and foundation’s board of directors is accepted. 

 “The purchase would have to be approved by the foundation’s board of directors as well as the Board of Regents,” said John Crawford, vice president for University Advancement. “I cannot speculate on the timing of their respective approvals.”

 If the proposal is approved, the theater will remain in business for the immediate future, while the theater’s parking lot will be made available for students attending classes on VSU’s North Campus.

 “The purchase would provide badly needed parking for the North Campus area in the short term,” Crawford said. “The university would like for the theater operator to continue to lease and operate the theater in the short term.”       

 The general manager of Ashley Cinemas, Christopher Carpenter, was unavailable for questioning, while manager, Robert Rodriguez, directed all questions to the Georgia Theater Company.  The company was unable to provide any information at this time.

 As for the ultimate result of buying the theater, Crawford said that the plans have yet to be drawn up.

 “Long term plans for the property would have to be developed in the future,” he said.

 Due to the ongoing expansion of the campus, VSU has been looking for any opportunity to buy potential spots.

 “We have to look at the way the campus is growing,” said Phil Gunter, VSU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “(Ashley Cinemas) is a valuable piece of land.”

 VSU Campus Outreach worker Meredith Myers said she would be sad to see the theater go, but thinks the possible change could be good for the school.

 “(The theater closing) would kind of stink,” Myers said. ”You can go see good, (updated) movies there fairly cheap. But I know the university is landlocked, so that’s a tough one.”

Mitch Stone, who viewed a movie at the theater Wednesday night, did not agree with the idea of it closing either.

 “I would hate it,” Stone said. “(It provides) cheap movies during the week and as high as everything is, this provides cheap entertainment. I’ve only been to the new theater (Valdosta Stadium Cinema 16 on Baytree Road) twice.”

 Sophomore Laura Jackson is not a regular visitor to Ashley Cinemas, but can see where possibly deconstructing it would be a problem.

 “I’ve only been once but my roommates go all the time,” said Jackson. “If they make it newer and update it, it’s a great idea. But I think if they tear it down and use it for something else, a lot of students will be upset. “

 Sophomore criminal justice major Zach Floyd would be mainly upset at losing the cost-saving aspect of Ashley Cinemas. 

 “I like it,” Floyd said. “It’s cheaper. Valdosta Stadium Cinemas 16 costs too much.”