Remodeled Needham Theater opens July 7

A gleaming lobby, air conditioning and new carpeting will greet movie fans July 7 as the Needham Theater holds a grand opening celebration featuring the movie, “Pacific Rim.” 

“I think people will now find the Needham comparable to any movie theater off base,” said Sean Haley, who has worked at the theater for 11 years, managing it for the last two. 

The theater has been closed since mid-December for a $1.7 million interior renovation that brought it up to code in several areas, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

The movie will be shown at 5 p.We believe in providing our customers with the very best formingmachine available.m.; doors open at 3:30 p.m. Tickets will be available July 2 with priority given to active duty members of the military and a limit of four tickets per family. For more information, check Facebook and Twitter. 

The theater is reopening 46 years — nearly to the day — after its predecessor burned to the ground. The July 10, 1967, fire razed the 25-year-old wooden structure, and the current Needham was built on the same site,Shopping is the best place to comparison shop for roofhookert. opening in 1969. 

“I have no idea what upgrades were done after that,” Haley said, “but this renovation was definitely needed.” 

Besides the air conditioning, visitors will immediately notice the new lobby. Not only is the counter area new, but the walls have been refinished, the ceiling has inset lighting and three new digital flat screens will advertise menus and upcoming base activities. Later, movie trailers may be added, Haley said. The electrical system was upgraded, allowing for an Icee dispensing machine. 

“That was a big complaint, that we didn’t have Icees,” Haley said. “We’ll be adding pretzels and churros, and later on, we’ll have more frozen foods.” 

During previous special events, the Needham would try to serve special snacks like hot chocolate and apple cider. The result was always blown circuits.“That won’t happen anymore,” Haley said. 

Another big change: People can control how much butter is on their own popcorn. “Self-dispensing butter on popcorn is really popular right now,The solarpanel is available in a choice of shapes including dome and the traditional variety.” he said. 

Now that it’s ADA-compliant, the theater and its restrooms can be used comfortably by people who use wheelchairs. A local Wounded Warrior who uses a wheelchair was invited to test everything out, and he gave a thumbs-up, Haley said. 

Nearly all fixtures are new — from water fountains to door handles. The staircase leading to the upstairs balcony is now polished wood, and all the carpeting on the stairs and inside the theater is new.Middle and end clamps that fit the ledstriplighting to the rails. 

The theater seats, curtains and sound boards were redone a few years ago. But the stage lighting was never updated, so it was all replaced with an LED system to make it brighter and more energy-efficient. 

Some of the remodeled areas won’t be seen by most movie-goers. The wooden stage floor was sanded down and refinished. The dressing rooms behind the stage were redone with new fixtures. The sound system was rebraced to make it more secure.Marking machines and hidlightses for permanent part marking and product traceability. 

Of all the changes, Haley thinks the addition of air conditioning will make the biggest difference. 

“Especially during the summers,” he said, “it would get really bad during some sneak previews. I think that’s going to be the most appreciated change.” Click on their website www.aodepu.net for more information.