The old adage that the show must go on may not apply here.
Earlier this year, council opted to close Erincinema for the summer months in light of continued losses at the facility.
And a recent report by Centre 2000 facilities manager Graham Smith suggests patronage has not improved.
In his report to councillors Smith stated, “Our movie program has had very low or limited success since its inception and has always operated at a deficit. Our prices are competitive however we are always three to six weeks behind the bigger theatres on our titles.”
In addition, he said the cinema faces another major cost in terms of showing films.
He explained that sometime in 2013, 33mm movies will no longer be produced for theatres – with venues switching to a digital format. To that end, Smith secured a quote on a digital projector.
“Going digital may give us better opportunities to get more up-to-date films earlier,” he said. “We are looking at $45,000 plus costs for any sound upgrade.” He said there may be additional costs hooking the projector into the existing sound system.
“We also have some acoustic issues with the room, many people believe it is our equipment but the acoustic problems are with the room itself,” he added.
“Similar issues arise during live plays, concerts, dance recitals as well as the movies,” he said.
Smith noted Bill Dinwoody from the recreation and culture advisory committee is looking into a sound study which may recommend some form of sound panels for the theatre.
“Facing a loss of $18,000 for 2012, councillors need to consider whether upgrade costs are warranted in the face of meagre audiences,” he said.
Smith added that some nights, attendance has dropped to only five people in the theatre for some screenings.
The other issue is that the cinema itself has never broken even financially since the first movie was shown in 2002.
In Erin, almost all costs associated with showing a movie are direct costs such as the projectionist, box office staff, studio fee, distributor, booking agent, etc.
Updated discussion
At the Nov. 6 council session, Mayor Lou Maieron told members of council there may be the potential of a local individual donating a digital projector for the theatre.
