The Westlake Cinema project began a couple of years ago when The Willard Companies conducted a survey to find out what lake area residents felt was needed in the community. The Willard Companies took the feedback seriously. They then set out to envision how to service those demands. As a result, plans for a new movie theater will become a reality when the theater opened on Friday, April 29, 2005.
The 14,000-square-foot Westlake Cinema, located at 84 Westlake Road, Suite 117 in the Westlake Towne Center , features a four-plex movie theater, stadium seating and a concession area. The cinema features four theater screens: two with 128 seats and two with 174 seats.

The goal of Westlake Cinema is to offer the public an upscale movie theater with first run movies, state of the art sound system and full service concession area. The theater has Dolby® Digital Surround and optional headphones hooked to a USL Infrared Hearing System for those with hearing impairments. Dolby® Digital Surround is the most advanced film sound technology available. The Dolby® brand is recognized far and wide as standing for the best in cinema sound. Westlake Cinema will be the first theater in the region to offer Dolby® Digital Surround. According to the Dolby® website, “Dolby® has established standardized sound replay conditions for cinemas and for mixing studios to ensure that films will be consistently replayed as they were envisioned.”

The Willard Companies owns the Westlake Cinema and employs approximately fifteen full and part-time employees including Richard Kobert, General Manager. A native of Lynchburg , Kobert was formerly of Carmike 10 – Roanoke at Tanglewood Mall and has over nineteen years of experience in the movie theater and entertainment industry.

During the peak season, Westlake Cinema will offer matinees throughout the day as well as show times during the evening. During the off-season, the theater will feature matinees on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and will continue to run evening show times seven days a week. Movie tickets will be available for purchase via the internet at www.westlakecinema.com or at the box office located at the cinema.

The Willard Companies is the umbrella for Willard Construction of Roanoke Valley, Inc., Waterfront Properties, The Waterfront, The Water’s Edge, and The Westlake Golf & Country Clubs, and The Boardwalk. The company is involved in country clubs, building, developing, marketing and real estate. The Company also owns Westlake Towne Center , Smith Mountain Building Supply, LLC and now Westlake Cinema.