“You can’t imagine how honored I feel to be standing here today, for the opening of one of the most modern movie theaters in our region. My great grandfather could probably not have imagined that his great grandson would be here for this special occasion. Continuing with the same company we started exactly 100 years ago.” Words spoken by Mr Eddy de Veer, director of MetaCorp, who gave this speech on the occasion of the 100thanniversary of this uniquely Aruban company and the opening of the new entertainment center “Gloria”.
It was an investment of 40 million guilders in a building housing movie theaters, food, drinks and entertainment. “We called it Gloria in honor of the first movie theater our family started many years ago. In this building we have 10 movie theaters, divided into 1 IMAX theatres, 3 VIP and 6 comfort class theatres. In total there are 1132 seats when all the theatres are full. Of course the largest one is the IMAX, with 284 chairs and a 71-foot-wide screen, similar to the size of the Drive Inn screen, which is 80 feet wide”, according to Eddie de Veer.
For now, keeping in line with social distancing and DVG guidelines, the chairs will be separate from each other. Opening hours will be from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. On weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
But this structure involves a lot more than movies on a giant screen. It also proudly celebrated the opening of the world famous P.F. Chang’s, with Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine. It has seating for 225 guests.
Mangiamo’s is an Italian restaurant, specialized in pasta, pizza etc. It has seating for 80. Sizzle offers chicken wings, hamburgers, sandwiches, wraps and BBQ and seats 80.
And that’s not all! Separate from these restaurants, there is a foodcourt that includes a Starbucks, Lettuce Eat and Cold Fusion.
You can also place your food orders before you enter, during the movie and if you want, there is a VIP section with its own bar and kitchen menu.
Gloria is a family oriented center and children are not forgotten. There is a children’s area, “Stay & Play”, with all kinds of toys for children which also includes an arcade for digital and electronic games.
“I must say that this project started off smaller, but while it was taking form, my father Eduardo became more and more enthusiastic about and it ended up becoming bigger and bigger and more modern … until it became one of the most modern projects in our region. We did not hold back on innovation, in the latest sound technology, sharp imaging, modern and comfortable chairs and great food and drink areas. At the same time we solved one of the biggest challenges: parking space”, says Eddie de Veer. The complex has parking space for 325 cars!
“MetaCorp wants to express gratitude to the whole team behind this project; to the banks who had faith in it, to the architects for their modern designs, to the local construction companies who used mostly local products in the process. “This is how we sustain our economy; by investing at home, by using local companies which created jobs, not only during construction but also now that this new project is in operation.”
In conclusion, Mr De Veer emphasizes that: “As a company we believe in the Aruban economy. We believe that after bad times, good times will come. MetaCorp has always invested heavily in the Aruban economy when it was needed most. For example after the closure of the LAGO, after the drop in the global economy a few years ago and now, with this new pandemic challenge. It is at moments like these that Aruba needs to depend on its local investors to sustain and revamp the economy for the wellbeing of all of us”.
Words said during his speech before officials, investors and other guests to celebrate the opening of the new entertainment center in Aruba.
