Westfield Countryside getting 12-screen theater complex

By spring 2012 Westfield Countryside Shopping Center visitors will be able to catch a movie while shopping one of the mall's four major department stores or 145 specialty shops.

This month construction begins on a 12-screen Cobb Theatres complex at the southwest corner of the mall at U.S. 19 and S.R. 580, said David Hibberd, general manager of Westfield Countryside.

The Cobb complex will have 12 auditoriums and a total of more than 2,000 seats. The auditoriums will have unobstructed views through the use of stadium seating that includes 18-inch risers and 48-inch row spacing. Extra-wide seating will feature high backs and tilt-up cup holder armrests.

Each theater will be designed with giant floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall, curved screens, state-of-the-art digital projection, 3D capabilities and Digital Surround Sound.

For the hearing impaired, the theaters will have the Rear Window captioning system, which produces a closed caption that appears to be superimposed on the screen but people not using the system won't see.

The theaters will have a descriptive audio system for the sight-impaired.

Restaurants will open in spaces adjoining the theater complex, Hibberd said.

"We are very excited to bring this project to fruition and want to thank the city of Clearwater, as well as Cobb Theatres, for their partnership and support," Hibberd said.

The addition of the cinema complex complements Westfield Countryside's recent $12 million revitalization of the retail complex, which was known as Countryside Mall when it first opened its doors, in September 1975. The makeover included a fully remodeled food court and a reconfigured seating area that includes tables designed for family dining.

Other amenities added to the shopping mall include an ocean-themed Westfield Play Space on the lower level near JCPenney and groupings of contemporary rattan seating.

A theater complex that once operated in the northeastern corner of the mall property closed many years ago and the building is now the home of a Lifestyle Family Fitness.