The local drive-in theatre quickly became the go-to place for Aldergrove residents and those across the Lower Mainland. 

Opened in 2005 by Jay Daulat and his family, it was the place where friendships formed, first dates and car shows were held, and even a proposal took place in 2020. 

The owners announced the theatre's closure in 2023, when they learned the property taxes had increased 260 per cent in the last few years and the landlord would not be renewing the lease. 

Earlier this year, Daulat posted on social media that the drive-in made a 鈥渓ast-ditch effort鈥� to save the theatre with a lease extension by the landlord, but they were told there would still be a huge rent increase.

鈥淭hey were still wanting a 2.4x rent increase. That, coupled with the exponential increase in property taxes over the last five years, has made operating the drive-in no longer viable," read his post. 

Upon hearing of the news last year, a customer-created petition was quickly launched in support of keeping the drive-in, and Township Mayor Eric Woodward won unanimous support from council for a review of options to keep Aldergrove鈥檚 Twilight Drive-In theatre open.

鈥淚t has been a challenge to find other land outside of the Agricultural Land Reserve that would be available and economic for this use,鈥� Woodward told Black Press Media.

Woodward also said the tax increase was actually 130 per cent, with the assessed value of the industrially zoned property rising from $13.2 million in 2019 to $40 million in 2023, resulting in a raise of the annual property taxes from $164,200 in 2019 to $378,507 for 2023.

At its Sept. 23 meeting, 91原创 Township council reviewed the report from staff in which no "reasonable alternatives" were found. 

On the final night, Sept. 30, Daulat and his wife, Camala, attended and said it was "very sad."

"We've talked to many people coming by and talking to us, it's a very sad night," Jay told the Star. 

The final weekend, Sept. 28 to 30, featured 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' 'Jurassic Park,' among many others, and wrapped up its final night with 'Back to the Future' and 'Grease.'

"What I will miss most is all the people, the many faces," Daulat shared. 

Before the movie began on Sept. 30, a video of drive-in highlights played on the screen. As it concluded with the words "Good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight," car honks from the audience echoed in the area. 

The Daulat family posted for a final time on the drive-in's Facebook page, thanking the community for its support over the last two decades. 

"Your smiles, gasps, laughter, applause, and honks will echo in our hearts. Though this chapter is closing, we hope everyone created some great family memories that will stay with you forever," reads the post. 

The two remaining drive-in theatres in B.C. are located in Prince George and Enderby. 

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