Two years after hosting filming locations and the production company for Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Crossfield could once again see one of its local buildings featured on the big screen in the coming years.
At the May 17 Town council meeting, interim Chief Administrative Officer Merel Jarvis presented a report to council about a building lease opportunity with OP Banner Productions Inc.
“The Town has been approached by a location scout, Mr. Ken Noda, to work together again,” Jarvis told council. “As you may remember, Ken Noda was the location scout the Town partnered with for the Ghostbusters film that was filmed in 2019.”
According to Jarvis, Noda expressed interest in entering into a lease agreement with the Town from June to November this year to shoot scenes for a television mini-series called Under the Banner of Heaven – a series based on the book by the same name by Jon Krakauer. The scenes would be shot at the vacant CIBC building on Railway Street in Crossfield’s downtown.
The Town of Crossfield purchased the old CIBC building in 2019, with the ultimate goal of renovating the building and converting it into a new town hall. However, Jarvis said the CIBC building is currently vacant and there is no immediate plan to renovate it for the Town’s use. According to Jarvis, the CIBC building includes 2,832 square feet of space on both floors.
Considering the positive financial impact hosting the Ghostbusters production had on Crossfield – not to mention the publicity – Jarvis said welcoming another production would provide an economic boon for the town.
“It is thought this is a great opportunity for the community by hosting the production team, with the potential that it be a recurring location,” she said.
Jarvis added the only potential drawback would be possible traffic congestion along Railway Street, which is undergoing construction until the end of July.
Administration presented to council three options – leasing the building to OP Banner Productions Inc. for a price of $1 per square foot per month, ($2,832 a month) $2 per square foot ($5,664 a month) or $3 per square foot ($8,469 a month). The production company would also be responsible for monthly power and electricity fees, according to Jarvis, which would equal approximately $475 a month.
Staff’s recommendation was to go with the first option. Considering the production company would lease the facility for six months, Jarvis said the revenues would bring in approximately $20,000 to the Town.
Council approved staff’s recommendation unanimously, highlighting how exciting it was when the community hosted the Ghostbusters: Afterlife cast and production team in 2019.
“I think our residents [want to be] looking forward to something and this could be that something to look forward to,” said Deputy Mayor Kim Harris. “I also think it would bring a positive economic impact to our local businesses and put Crossfield on the map once again, just like Ghostbusters did.”
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
