NORWICH – Three months after the curtains reopened on the Colonia Theater in Norwich, new owners Richard and Todd Barnes are now ready to take the movie house into the digital age with its first showing on upgraded projectors scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday.
According to Richard Barnes, this is a huge step forward for the Colonia, which was forced to upgrade to all-digital equipment under new box office regulations put in place last year. “This includes digital picture, surround sound and the 3-D equipment,” he explained.
The Barnes brothers purchased digital equipment for one of the Colonia’s two operational theaters last month, personally footing the $75,000 bill that came with it. They are working with community partners to upgrade equipment in the second theater as well, which they plan to have installed in the coming weeks.
“We are working with the Arts Council to purchase the second projector,” Barnes explained, also noting the influence of the community to keep the projectors rolling. “We have received a lot of support from the community. The big thing is the community needs to know it’s their theater. We may hold the keys to the door, but it’s their theater.”
“The Chenango Arts Council recognizes the cultural value of film, and more importantly, the role the Colonia Theater has played in bringing film to Chenango County for nearly a century. We are delighted to announce that with generous support from the Greater Norwich Foundation and the Roger Follett Foundation, we have acquired digital equipment to ensure the Colonia’s legacy in our community going into its second century,” said Chenango Arts Council Board of Directors President Lisa Natoli. “We look forward to partnering with the Colonia to provide exciting and innovative arts programming, and offer our deepest thanks to the Barnes family, Greater Norwich Foundation and the Roger Follett Foundation for this gift to current and future generations.”
The drawback with digital equipment, Barnes noted, is a projected increase in ticket prices that will take effect in the near future due to increased box office costs and digital equipment expenses. But in the process, Barnes has been in contact with other small theater owners throughout New York State, seeking advice from people who are in the same position. “It’s either go digital or go home,” he said. “The way it looks now, all U.S. theaters must be digital by the end of the year.”
Things looked bleak for the Colonia last October, when Rich Barnes announced his business would close its doors because the cost to upgrade to digital – a $150,000 endeavor - far exceeded his means. However, things turned quickly when he and Todd purchased the building that houses the Colonia from the previous owner, an absentee landlord. The building also includes two upstairs residences, and four commercial spaces behind the theater.
Plans are to restore the entire building to its full potential, including the Colonia’s balcony area that has been closed off to the public for more than 20 years. While it may be a long ways off, said Barnes, hopes are to open a third theater in the balcony area with the possibility of serving food too.
“There’s a lot of maintenance that we are trying to play catch up on. But we are moving forward and we’re comfortable with what we have done so far,” Barnes added. “It’s definitely not something that happens overnight. When we purchased the building, we knew it was going to be a long-term effort.”
The first digital film to play at the Colonia will the action thriller “A Good Day to Die Hard.” The theater is also hosting a free matinee (movie yet to be determined) at 2 p.m. today.
For additional information on show times and ticket prices, contact the Colonia at 334-2135.