Council approves Legacy Youth Foundation plan for drive-in movies at Pawnee Park Memorial Stadium

The Columbus City Council on May 19 approved an agreement permitting the Legacy Youth Foundation to operate a drive-in movie series at Pawnee Park Memorial Stadium, after a presentation by student organizers and discussion of site, safety and infrastructure details.

The Legacy Youth Foundation, a student-led nonprofit with members from Columbus-area high schools, outlined plans including a permanent screen, designated pedestrian seating, use of the stadium’s concessions and restrooms, and a per-car charge of $10. “Our overall mission is to bring the youth of Columbus back into the city once they move on,” said Caitlin Campbell, a Legacy Youth Foundation member.

Council President Jablonski recommended approval after members of the council asked logistical questions. Organizers said they have insurance, will work with the city’s engineering department on a final site plan and will meet with an electrician and a structural engineer before installing any permanent features. They said an adult sponsor — identified as Casey Veil — will sign required lease paperwork and assume responsibility for minors during events.

City staff and organizers discussed specific site work that may be required. The proposal shows a screen on the far-left side of the parking layout with a pedestrian seating area in front and automobile parking arranged to face the screen. Organizers said some trees would need trimming or removal and that one centrally located light pole would need to be controllable for evening shows; the city’s engineers and staff said the stadium’s future renovation plans would not conflict with this concept. Richard Bogus, referenced by organizers as a city engineer who helped draft a concept schematic, reviewed how lights and island plantings could be managed with future improvements.

Organizers said they intend to run shows from May through August, typically Friday and Saturday nights, with an optional kids’ movie night on Thursdays and special events for holidays such as Halloween and prom. They told the council their business model includes a $10 per-car admission and use of the stadium’s concessions; they also said a shed is being built by local teachers at SCOTUS to house a projector for events and that projectors would be stored off-site when not in use.

The council motion to approve the agreement passed; council members did not attach an immediate opening date but organizers said they hoped to have at least one screening before the end of the summer and would finalize technical and safety work with city staff prior to any event.

Next steps outlined at the meeting include the Legacy Youth Foundation providing final engineering and electrical plans, confirming adult signatory and insurance on file, and coordinating with the city to disable specific lights and trim or remove trees as needed before installing a permanent screen.