Richmond’s oldest movie palace has been $1.99 for second run movies for about 2 decades but thats about to change in the hopes of making bigger changes.
Richmond’s oldest movie palace has been $1.99 for second run movies for about 2 decades but thats about to change in the hopes of making bigger changes.
Since the Byrd Theatre Foundation took over in 2007 a wealth of changes have occurred: a new roof, AC/HVAC unit, a 4K digital projection system, and replacements to other important architectural issues. Over $1 million was raised to get them this far, but one thing has remained an issue for Foundation members and theatre goers alike: the seats.
Part of the new ticket price, $4 for second run movies and $5 for special movie events, will help aid in addressing that issue.
“Our price increase will provide a strategic improvement to the Byrd’s financial stability,” said Gibson Worsham, president of the Byrd Theatre Foundation at a press event held at the Byrd theater. Each ticket will actually be $3 or $4 with a $1 facility fee.
Gibson defended the price increase against traditional theatre which have gone from $6 to $11 and now as much as $14 per ticket over the same period of time.
The seat, as part of the BTF’s strategic plan released in summer 2014, hopes to get the first group of repairs underway by the second quarter of 2017. Part of the high cost of seat repair deals with the below-seat return-air system which will require new holes drilled into the concrete slab.
“That’s probably going to be a major cost factor compared to the seats,” Worsham said, explaining the complexity of the upgrades.
But Worsham and other Byrd Theatre Foundation members are hopeful the ticket price wont deter guests in the face of new programing improvements with the possibility of first run or art-house movies in the future.
“We’re creating a center for film that will represent the interests of the entire Central Virginia community,” he said. “We’ve refocused our development efforts on the areas.”
The first seat replacement will deal with the center panel as well as a wheel chair platform making the theatre ADA compliant for the first time.
They’ve also got a new point of sale system, meaning the theatre takes credit cards for the first time.
There’s also a plan for an online store including merchandise in the coming year.
Work has already commenced on other physical improvements – scaffolding is up to address water damaged plaster on the balcony with molds from original plaster work being used as models.
Expect to pay more at the Byrd starting January 1st, 2017. Expect construction on new seats in the Spring.
