Last month Tony Wang was toiling over his brand new business, Northern Sky Films, and listening to the radio as news of the growing pandemic made clear it was time to close.

Disappointed, he cancelled appointments with tourists eager to see his dome theatre, which offers a 360-degree aurora experience. His two employees locked the doors.

That was March 17, as a series of increasingly stringent orders mandating social distancing were issued, forcing many businesses, tourism-related or otherwise, to suspend operations. WangSA国际影视传媒檚 worries have faded since then.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 calmed down now,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 think it always happens like this. We canSA国际影视传媒檛 predict the things (that) happen. We have to live our lives.SA国际影视传媒�

When he opened for business around the peak of the Aurora Borealis season, he thought it was an ideal time to attract customers. He was ushering in visitors for free screenings to get the word out and build contacts.

But within a month of those previews, the business was shuttered indefinitely. 

Located at Centre Ice Plaza, WangSA国际影视传媒檚 Northern Sky Films is a geodesic dome where patrons can lean back and watch films projected on its ceiling. It's billed as an immersive experience.

For Wang, a recent immigrant and former vice-president of a Chinese transit company, itSA国际影视传媒檚 an opportunity to expand YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 tourism offerings and contribute to his adopted community.

But now heSA国际影视传媒檚 unsure what those tourism offerings will even look like when the pandemic mitigation measures are lifted.

SA国际影视传媒淢y business is about tourism,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 think when we reopen the economy, I donSA国际影视传媒檛 think tourism will be like before.SA国际影视传媒�

HeSA国际影视传媒檚 anxious to re-open as soon as he can and reestablish a cash flow to pay his employees and cover costs. 

However, it will take years for tourism to fully recover, he said. In the meantime, he plans to redirect his offerings to local customers.

When the business was just opening last month, Liang Chen, one of WangSA国际影视传媒檚 collaborators, floated some ways Yellowknifers could enjoy the dome.

He envisioned residents doing yoga in the dead of winter with a beach projected on the dome as a backdrop. The theatre might also host catered and themed dinners, or electronic dance parties, which was actually what the building was originally designed for, Wang said.

He also saw the opportunity for educational uses, breaking up textbook material, dull by comparison, with 360-degree video.

SA国际影视传媒淚f educationSA国际影视传媒檚 more fun, then more kids will be involved in it,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

It would also be possible to hold events with a dome placed at Somba KSA国际影视传媒檈 park, he said.

Those ideas could bear fruit once the economy re-opens but in the meantime, Wang has some concerns.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryone hopes we can reopen the economy as soon as possible,SA国际影视传媒� Wang said. SA国际影视传媒淟ife before will not come again. Maybe we have new challenges to change our minds, to fix our business."