Dear Summerfield Supporter:

We wish all of you happiness and good health during the holidays and the coming year!

Here is the latest information about preserving The Summerfield.

We think you will find it hopeful.

First, from a place of deep appreciation, we thank all of you who love and support the spirit of creative, inspiring, delightful cinema and our good fortune to see and share it in the unique space of a theater. The Summerfield and all local film venues are a gift we give ourselves with our attendance. We are the engine that keeps it going!

The plot thus far…

In the last six months, The Summerfield has survived the possible ownership change of the Lakeside Center and a threat the theater might be replaced by a Planet Fitness gym. As of now, the theater is open and showing great movies!

The real estate listing agent informs us that as of December 19, 2024, the sale of the Lakeside Center to development group Centers Dynamic has fallen through and the center is now back on the market – the long-time owner of the center is actively seeking another buyer. So, this is a reprieve, a cancelation of the sale of center that had been in play for 19 months.

It is NOT the end of the attempt to sell the Lakeside Center. Not the end of the attempt to find a new owner of the center and not the end of the story.

We are told there are other interested, potential buyers of the Lakeside Center (in which the Summerfield sits) and we do not know what person or entity might become the new owner and what their intent is for the center at large or the Summerfield in particular.

So, we wait and see what unfolds. (There is also talk of the possibility of selling the theater building separate from the center – we monitor that and invite investors to inquire.)

What shall we do now?

We must continue to keep vigilant and gather information about the status of Lakeside Center.

We must stay connected - all Summerfield supporters – the Sonoma County community.

• To get involved email Paul at savesummerfield@gmail.com to be added to our growing mailing list of local citizens and supporters who want to be involved with local organizing activities (attending future rallies, handing out flyers, attending committee meetings and more).

We all can show support for the theater by attending movies! Website link for tickets and showtimes here: https://santarosacinemas.com/

We can offer suggestions and encourage the evolution of creative, innovative programming ideas and community events at the theater. It is a living, ongoing, important resource!

Lastly, actions to consider in the coming days.

We feel it is appropriate, prudent and beneficial to keep making our sentiments and preferences about the Lakeside Center known – to keep applying our power as citizens.

This takes shape by our communication to:

• The City of Santa Rosa, letting our City Council (citycouncil@srcity.org) and Planning Commission members (planningcommission@srcity.org) know that we favor small business opportunities in neighborhood centers like Lakeside, rather than bigger corporate entities like Planet Fitness. We can encourage such businesses to seek locations in existing big box buildings in the city which now sit empty.
• The Planet Fitness franchisee who may still be interested in occupying the theater if the center is sold to a new owner. We can, respectfully, let them know they are not desired at Lakeside Center and our preference to keep the theater open. (contact information and messaging information will be provided in our next update)

In the coming days and weeks, we will offer suggestions and convenient action opportunities to make ourselves heard. We welcome input from everyone toward that effort. Together we are potent.

Thank you for what we all have done together.

Thank you for your public support – at this writing we have 2,478 signatures on the change.org petition (link to petition here or search on the website "Save Summerfield Cinemas"– let friends, contacts know, and ask them to sign the petition and leave a comment).

Thank you for staying involved and bolstering each other. Thank you for treasuring The Summerfield!

See you at the movies… in the magic of a big screen theater!

Paul Seif, Derek Stefan, Trinity Winslow

Citizens Committee to Save Summerfield Cinemas