Base theater closes its curtains

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. - --  According to industry trends, by early 2013 movie theaters using 35 mm prints will be virtually non-existent as theaters across the country convert to digital picture and sound.

As a result, Army and Air Force Exchange Service theaters, which use 35 mm prints, have been undergoing extensive reviews to determine the cost-effectiveness of converting its theaters to a digital format.

After an AAFES-conducted review of the McConnell theater that included additional advertising and free movie showings, it was determined that it would cost approximately $120,000 to convert to digital. With the availability of local off-base entertainment venues, the continued operation of the theater was seen as not viable.

"With a dual mission to provide quality goods and services while returning a dividend for quality of life programs," said Maryann Bishop, McConnell and Ft. Riley, Kan., AAFES general manager. "Upgrading and continuing to operate theaters that are not viable is untenable for a self-sustaining entity such as the Exchange."

With the theater no longer hosting weekly screenings, 22nd ARW leadership is considering all of its options with the newly closed building.

"A proposal has been written and sent up to base leadership," said Stephen Matthews, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron deputy base civil engineer. "There are a few different things that could happen to the building, and what does happen will be based off of the wing's needs."

For the last several months, the theater had three movie screenings a week. It was often used for commander's calls, promotion ceremonies and other base programs.

The final movie shown  was "Argo" on Dec. 2, 2012 and the theater shut down the following day.

For more information on the McConnell Base Exchange, visit www.shopmyexchange.com/ExchangeLocations/McConnellAFBStore or call (316) 685-0231.

Information from an AAFES press release was used in this article.