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NEWS | Nov. 21, 2016

Base theater gets makeover

By Staff. Sgt. Joe Yanik 11th Wing Public Affairs

The Joint Base Andrews base theater is scheduled to open its doors to moviegoers for the first time in more than five years, Dec. 16, after undergoing extensive renovations and facility upgrades.

 

The theater’s entrance foyer was re-painted and bathrooms were re-tiled. Other renovations include new carpets and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. To upgrade the antiquated equipment from the past, a movie projector and digital sound system are slated for installation before opening.

 

“The base theater is going digital and we’re now able to offer movies in 3-D,” said Thea Sarver, JBA’s Army and Air Force Exchange Service general manager. “The concession area will offer a wider variety of food and beverage options.”

 

Although movies will resume showing in December, more upgrades are scheduled to come in the new calendar year. The theater, which can accommodate roughly 1000 moviegoers at a time, is scheduled to install new seats by late January 2017. 

 

"We'll be able to offer our patrons first run movies at a lower price than if they went downtown,” said William Babcock, 11th Mission Support Group’s deputy director for installation support.

 

Movie showings are scheduled to run 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Star Wars: Rogue One is set to kick off a new era of movie entertainment at JBA. Movie tickets for Friday evening’s show will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, beginning at 5:30 p.m., the same day at the theater.

 

"The most senior leadership of Army and Air Force Exchange Service worked closely with the 11th Wing commander, to ensure timely completion of the renovation within budget," Babcock said. “It is a partnership; AAFES is adding the concessions area and audio/visual equipment, while the 11th Wing is responsible for the other renovations.”

 

The renovations at the theater have been underway since April 2016. They came as a response to repeated requests from the base population.

“Our team members at JBA gave us feedback, largely through our QoLCOMM (Quality of Life Communication tool), that they wanted a theater to show first-run movies and we responded with priority and resources,” said Col. E. John Teichert, 11th Wing and Joint Base Andrews commander. “We are passionate about demonstrating our commitment to improving JBA quality of life.”

 

Questions about the base theater, including future movie showings, should be directed to the JBA AAFES office by calling 301-568-2222, ext, 222.