Theaters, bowling alleys study reopening order

IRONWOOD - A new executive order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has theaters and bowling alleys preparing to open months before it was thought possible, along with more possibilities for outdoor events.

Two executive orders signed on Sept. 25 will amend the MI Safe Start order to reopen theaters, cinemas and other performance venues starting Oct. 9. Other businesses in the statewide reopening orders include arcades, bingo halls, bowling centers, indoor climbing facilities and trampoline parks.

Whitmer said in her announcement that the state's public health and economy has responded well to aggressive action against COVID-19. As a result, these venues are now able to open with strict safety measures.

"I know these business owners have made incredible sacrifices during this crisis to protect our families and frontline workers, and my administration will continue working to help them get back on their feet," Whitmer said. "We are not out of the woods yet, and we will continue to monitor the effects of these incremental changes."

Zona Wick, president of the Historic Ironwood Theatre board, said the reopening announcement came just days after the board approved its 2021 budget, but that was before knowledge that the reopening order would be issued. The theater was to remain dark, according to the action at that time, when the shutdown was considered to be indefinite, she said.

"This governor's order really does change everything and we could be opening on a limited basis," Wick said. "I do need to bring that back to the board to look at possibly doing some limited audience events."

Until the reopening order allows for the theater to function at full capacity, there will not be large local events and traveling productions like "ABBAmania," that would fill the theater to capacity, she said. The reopening order revises the 10-person limit for non-residential indoor gatherings and events to 20 people per 1,000 square feet, or 20% of fixed seating capacity.

Non-residential outdoor gatherings and events now must limit attendance to 30 people per 1,000 square feet or 30% of fixed seating capacity, with a maximum of 1,000 people. The previous order limited outdoor gatherings of non-family events to 100 people.

The Ironwood Theatre may look to weekly movies and local talent with shows that typically drew from 100 to 1,200 people before the pandemic. There may be time to organize a Halloween event, or an historic organ performance.

"That would generate some revenue for the artists and the theater," Wick said. "That is a good way to start that conversation."

When the board meets, it will likely decide whether or not to open and have the programming committee set the direction that works within the reopening requirements to function on a limited basis.

The theater staff will review the orders and apply them to the seating charts to plan out how to seat people safely, she said. But before all that can occur, the board needs to start that discussion and make a determination.

The recent COVID-19 cases in the surrounding area are also becoming alarming, she said. This also makes planning a reopening something of a guessing game.

"That is another reason we wouldn't expect to bring in large (entertainment) groups from out of the area," Wick said. "We could possibly need to shut down as fast as we open. We have to be fluid and flexible as we move ahead."

The Theatre North Board of Directors decided to go dark and cancel the 2020 season of the Ironwood theatre group at the start of the pandemic shutdown back in March, said Jeanne Graham, board member. The board will discuss the governor's reopening order for theaters at the next regular meeting on Oct. 6.

The Theatre North season is scheduled to start in June 2021, she said. The meeting may get into how flexible the theater can be as far as potential use prior to the production season.

"We have a few virtual things that we are working on but nothing in the theater itself," Graham said. "Unless something comes up then things could change, I don't know."

Larry's Lucky Strikes bowling alley in Ironwood found itself in a unique situation and was able to operate during the shutdown while most other bowling alleys had to close.

"We have been able to operate because we do a greater part of our business with food and not alcohol or bowling," said Danielle Kettunen, event coordinator. "So we were able to stay open as a restaurant and the capacity laws let us allow bowling on every other lane."

There were stringent requirements such as 25% occupancy rules that may not be that different from the new reopening requirements on Oct. 9. The management is just now going over the reopening order to see where compliance issues are the same or different.

As of now families can bowl together but must maintain social distancing protocols and wear masks in common areas unless eating or when in their lane areas as long as everyone in the group is agreeable to not masking. The same goes for league bowling which started two weeks ago, she said.

The staff sanitize the lane desk, seating, ball returns and bowling balls between each guest. Because only five of the bowling alley's 10 lanes can be used at any time to allow social distancing, the staff have devised a waiting list where open bowling customers who are not waiting in the restaurant or bar can receive a text to notify them when a lane is available.

"We are also running different shift times with the leagues," Kettunen said. "Each league operates differently."

The restaurant also reduced seating to every other table to ensure distancing. Customers must wear masks until seated and food or beverages arrive at the table.

Normal bowler etiquette encourages bowlers in adjacent lanes to stay off the approach platform until the bowler in the next lane completes the first roll. The pandemic altered the etiquette to have bowlers do both rolls and complete their turn before the adjacent bowler steps on the platform.

"We're doing everything we can in a safe manner to be sure we stay open to the public," Kettunen said. "We are sanitizing everything. Before we call in the next group we must have time to bleach."

The governor's announcement was a breath of fresh air for Michael Meyer, executive director of the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber's Jack Frost Festival Committee is considering an alternative event this year but if the outdoor crowd size limit increases then the annual winter parade and other big public activities may remain traditional after all, he said.

Meyer is communicating with the Ironwood Department of Public Safety to see if it will be possible to extend the parade route a few blocks to spread people out more. He said the initial discussions are positive and is moving on to consider other activities from Thanksgiving through the New Year that were unthinkable just days ago.

"I am really excited about things that are happening," Meyer said. "I certainly hope that the new regulations stay put and get better by November.

Management of Cloverland Cinemas in Ironwood, and Logger's Alley Bar & Grill in Bruce Crossing did not answer the reporter's calls.