Locally Speaking

Construction On Backgate Interchange Project Starts June 6

Construction on the roughly $100 million Backgate Interchange Project at U.S. 17 and Farrow Parkway will start on Monday, with two lanes of traffic being maintained in both directions, according to project officials.

Daytime construction on the three-year project will generally occur from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There may be some night and weekend work involved as well.

The speed limit will drop from 55 miles per hour to 45 mph. Drivers can tune to 1680 AM on their radios for current traffic updates. –Sun News

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Work To Start On Pat Boone Theater In Myrtle Beach

Work is finally starting on the Pat Boone Theater - which had planned to open in Myrtle Beach a year ago - with officials aiming to have the first shows late this summer.

The lagging economy and trouble getting financing amid the tight lending environment delayed the theater, which is moving into the former NASCAR Cafe building at the corner of U.S. 17 Bypass and 21st Avenue North, said Kelly Burton, the theater’s recently hired marketing director.

Theater officials, who announced the plans for the venue in January 2010, acknowledge that the delays might have cast doubt on whether the theater would happen, but say this time it’s a go.

“It is finally going to happen,” Burton said. “We know they’ve been wondering. We are here. It is coming.”

This time, the theater has received the first of a series of permits it will need from the city that allow work on the building to begin. On Wednesday, the theater got a permit from the city to do demolition inside the building, city spokesman Mark Kruea said. But the theater would have to get additional approval from the city, including a building permit, before moving forward beyond demolition.

“They will need to bring plans back to us,” Kruea said. “This allows them to begin demolition.”

It will cost about $1 million to renovate the former restaurant into a 600-seat theater and install a stage, Burton said.

The theater, which will have a resident illusionist, gospel concerts, Christmas shows and other family friendly events, aims to have a “soft” opening in mid-July and a grand opening in August, Burton said. Evening shows will cost $34.95, while matinees will cost $24.95. Children’s tickets will be $8.95.

Illusionist Morgan Strebler will have a resident magic act at the theater, and Boone will perform about 14 days a year, Burton said.

There also will be a Boone museum that will feature some of his memorabilia, and an “Illusions ultra lounge,” which Burton described as a late-night spot for adults to gather to hear music, but said it’s not a nightclub and is consistent with the theater’s family image. The lounge will open in early fall, Burton said.

The new theater is one of several changes to the Grand Strand’s live show lineup this year. Dixie Stampede, after 19 years, has transformed into Pirates Voyage, which debuts June 3. And Legends in Concert moved from Surfside Beach to 29th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach earlier this year. –Sun News