The cameras will be rolling next week in downtown Chemainus.
A special event permit application by Minute-Road Production Limited for the filming of a Hallmark movie called The BakerB次元官网网址檚 Sons was approved by North Cowichan during a special council meeting Tuesday night.
Equipment started to arrive immediately on Wednesday, March 10. Filming takes place all next week from Monday, March 15 to Friday, March 19 along the Willow Street block between Victoria Street and Mill Street, with the Willow Street Cafe central to the story and the filming.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e going to be using the building inside and out for the week as well as that block,B次元官网网址� said Emily Weeks, managing director of the Chemainus and District Chamber of Commerce, whoB次元官网网址檚 had some direct conversations with crew members.
B次元官网网址淪o far everyone from the crewB次元官网网址檚 been awesome keeping me informed whatB次元官网网址檚 going on.B次元官网网址�
The block will remain open for the duration of the filming, with some possible restrictions as directed by crew. The road will be entirely closed on Friday, March 19 from 2-8:30 p.m. while filming is in progress.
The choice of Chemainus for the filming is particularly good news for the tourist-based community thatB次元官网网址檚 been especially hard hit by the pandemic. All COVID protocols will be followed. There will also be two full-time COVID-19 protocol compliance monitors on site.
B次元官网网址淚t does seem like they have a really well thought-out plan,B次元官网网址� said Weeks.
ThereB次元官网网址檚 been short notice within the community, but everything is coming together quickly now, including the necessary approvals.
B次元官网网址淭he reason this special event application came before council B次元官网网址� they donB次元官网网址檛 always need to B次元官网网址� is because the duration of the event filming exceeds 72 hours or three days, which is part of the Delegation of Authority Bylaw,B次元官网网址� noted Tammy Isaachsen, North CowichanB次元官网网址檚 communications and engagement coordinator.
Willow Street Cafe will be closed throughout the week, as the film crews take over the premises.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty exciting,B次元官网网址� said manager Naomi Sampson.
But fans of SampsonB次元官网网址� expecting to see her in a cameo role will be disappointed. She will be steering clear of the site, as will the rest of the regular staff.
B次元官网网址淎ll in all, this is an exciting opportunity and this will help toward tourist recovery when things open up again,B次元官网网址� enthused Weeks.
There will be about 80 people staying in the Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn while utilizing the restaurants and amenities in town.
The public will be prohibited from using the parking spaces located on Willow Street adjacent to the film site throughout the week.
Information handouts were being distributed to businesses and residences throughout the area surrounding from Waterwheel Crescent to just south of the Chemainus Theatre on Chemainus Road.
Other parking lots in the vicinity are being used by crews. Work trucks and washrooms will be situated at the Chemainus Theatre parking lot, the Western Forest Products parking area for cast trailers and crew parking and also the Anglican Church parking area.
Pedestrians are also advised there will be minor disruptions for those making their way along Willow Street for up to a couple of minutes at a time.
If the filming helps put Chemainus back on the map during COVID and afterwards in even the smallest way, it will be a win-win for the community.
And, besides, B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always thought that block was perfect for Hallmark,B次元官网网址� reasoned Weeks.
