Oakland Coliseum Inching Closer to Being Able to put Athletics on Parking Lot Screen
The potential repurposing of one of the Coliseum’s parking lots to become a drive-in movie theater and, possibly, an arena where A’s fans could watch games from their cars in drive-in style, took another step forward Friday
With the start of the A’s 60-game season just a week away, the Coliseum’s Board of Commissioners adopted guidelines that could lead to a two-tier system of parking lot use.
The first tier would be for use by nonprofits, churches, community-based organizations and governmental agencies including city councils and school boards. Those groups would have to pay enough to cover the Coliseum’s expenses.
The second tier would include for-profit organizations, including the uses as a drive-in with the potential to show A’s games. The Coliseum would have to know it would make a profit from groups using the Coliseum parking lot for that purpose.
Oakland City Council member Rebecca Kaplan has been one of the driving forces pushing for a drive-in, saying the Coliseum lot is “a perfect location” and would provide “an outlet for positive activities with safe distancing for public health.”
Henry Gardner, Coliseum’s executive director after just having had the word “interim” removed from his title, said the Coliseum Complex’s finances have taken a beating during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, said the Board is looking to explore ways to add revenues. In addition to having A’s home games at the Coliseum canceled from March 26-July23, the Arena has seen lucrative shows by Andre Rieu, Celine Dion, Martin Lawrence, Pearl Jam and The Weeknd postponed or canceled.
And the $22 million owed by the Coliseum on bond indebtedness hasn’t gone away. Revenue is needed, although the Coliseum is under no illusion that this would quell the need.
Dave Kaval, president of the A’s, told Inside the Athletics he’s open to talking about having A’s games on a big screen in the parking lot.
“It’s really up to the Board and the public health authorities,” Kaval said. “We’re just taking it day by day with the approvals that we have, ensuring that we operate safely.”
Gardner said he talked/texted with Kaval Friday about bringing the A’s on board. Kaval didn’t commit the A’s to joining in, but would like to know how the plan could be made to work.
“They are interested in seeing if it would work,” Gardner said. “How would they and we collaborate to see how it might work.”
Whether it would be A’s games or movies on the big screen, cars would be socially distanced in the parking lot. Patrons wouldn’t be allowed to leave their cars except to go to restrooms. If the car’s windows were rolled down, those in the car would be obligated to wear masks, but the masks wouldn’t be needed with windows closed.
“People may or may not be willing to do that with the masks,” Gardner said. “It really comes down to sort of a `scout’s honor’ system. I mean, you can’t have a security guard standing in front of every vehicle.”
Follow Athletics insider John Hickey on Twitter: @JHickey3
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