Chemung Speedrome co-owner Bob Stapleton hopes to begin work this fall on a new drive-in theater at the racetrack complex.

The Chemung Town Board last week approved a special use permit to allow construction of an 80-foot-by-60-foot screen as long as Stapleton meets several stipulations.

Stapleton hopes to show movies Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights between April and October. The Speedrome has races on Saturday nights during the summer. Stapleton plans to show movies on Saturdays as well in the spring and fall when there is no racing.

Stapleton has owned the racetrack since 1985, and closed it for extensive refurbishing in the late 1990s. He said he's been losing money on the track since he reopened it in 2000, and he went into partnership with Carriage Estates owner Chad Silver in 2003 to avoid foreclosure on his mortgage.

The new drive-in theater should complement the racetrack operation and finally make the business a profitable enterprise, Stapleton said.

"I really believe our fan base is going to be in Sayre, Waverly, Van Etten, east of Chemung more than west of Chemung. I think we're going to offer something new and exciting," Stapleton said. "I believe we have real nice restrooms and concession areas for this event.

"I'm encouraged by it, and I think that's why the town is trying to help us here a little bit," he said. "The Speedrome is a first-class operation. I don't want the drive-in to be any less than that."

Under the terms of his permit approval, Stapleton must complete a perimeter fence and make improvements to the entrance road. The Town Board unanimously approved the permit request after Stapleton agreed to the town's conditions.

Stapleton and the town have been at odds over issues at the Chemung Speedrome in the past, but this time they are on the same page, said Town Supervisor George Richter.

"He does have some advantage. There's a large new concession area, new, clean restrooms. He's set up to take tickets," Richter said. "One may go well with the other. It was felt by the Town Board and members of the public that it would be a positive asset to the community."

In the meantime, Stapleton is working with a consulting firm that specializes in movie theaters to make sure the project gets done right.

"I connected with an agency that will guide us through construction of the screen and projectors," he said. "September, October, November - that is when construction should take place. We're hoping for an early spring opening date."

Originally published online here: http://www.star-gazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050816/BUSINESS/508160329/1003