CENTER TWP — The Pioneer Drive-In on Route 8 may convert to digital projection and reopen next year.

Epic Theaters, a Florida-based company that owns the drive-in, originally planned for this to be the final year of operation due to the need to upgrade its 35 mm projectors to digital technology.

But the company now says movies may light up the night sky beyond this season.

“We're not sure what will happen,” said Clint DeMarsh, vice president of Epic. “But most likely the drive-in will open next year.”

Each of the five screens at the drive-in has a 35 mm film projector. However, film is being phased out in Hollywood for digital projection, which is cheaper to produce and allows for features like 3-D footage and anti-piracy systems in its files.

“Most major releases are not available on 35 mm film anymore,” DeMarsh said.

Converting all five screens at the drive-in to the digital projectors would cost up to about $350,000.

The largest screen at the site is 90 feet wide.

“That's a big screen,” DeMarsh said. “It would require the most powerful digital projector.”

While the drive-in may stay open next year, it may not be owned by Epic.

The company is exploring a possible sale of the property. DeMarsh said the company has multiple potential buyers.

“There is a chance to sell to someone who will run it as a drive-in,” he said. “We could also sell it to someone who would use it for a different use.”

DeMarsh did not discuss in detail the potential buyers of the property.

A third option would be for Epic to maintain ownership of the site and continue operating the drive-in.

DeMarsh said that could happen, though he said he does not know how many of the projectors the company would convert.

“That's another thing up in the air,” he said. “We'll probably see all five screens converted, but it could be less.”

DeMarsh said he expects to know the fate of the drive-in this winter, likely around February.

Any sale of the property would need to be approved by all 10 beneficiaries of the trust of the estate of the late Chester DeMarsh, which owns the property.

“We'd have to get consent from all 10 members of the trust,” DeMarsh said. “With the right buyer and the right price, I don't think there would be a problem.”

As for now, the drive-in will play movies through Labor Day weekend.

“Anyone who wants to come out and have a good time, we'll be playing through the holiday,” DeMarsh said.

The drive-in may stay open after Sept. 1, depending on whether any new 35 mm films are available.

“It doesn't look like it will be,” DeMarsh warned. “But we'll see.”

The Pioneer Drive-In is the last drive-in that Epic Theaters owns. It operates six theaters in Florida and North Carolina.

The Clearview Mall Cinemas, also in Center Township, closed in March due to the same problem with digital projection. The theater is still empty.

It was estimated it would cost nearly $300,000 to install digital projectors on its four screens.