Opening of cinema now set for 2019
Palmerston North film buffs need to hold on for a few months for a long-awaited boutique cinema.
A new Focal Point Cinema was first announced late in 2016, after the closure of Cinema Gold created an opening for a cinema offering a mix of art house and mainstream films. Delays have repeatedly pushed the opening date back over the past two years.
But owner Matt Bell reckons the project has turned a corner and frustrating delays should be at an end.
‘‘It’s a good feeling, seeing new stuff going into the building . . . we’re actually on track to open in the middle of the year.’’
The Focal Point on Cuba St was originally slated to raise the curtains in mid-2017. But a Manawatu¯ construction boom made it difficult to find times where all the necessary consultants and contractors were available. The first screening fell back, first to November, and then to mid-2018.
Bell said redeveloping the former Beds 4 U building, including the necessary earthquake strengthening, had proved to be ‘‘a major job’’.
‘‘Every little alteration [to the engineering design and plans] needs to be approved, which eats up time, and that was made worse by everyone being so busy.’’
There’s unlikely to be further delays.
‘‘The structural work is well under way now . . . it’ll be close to two months’ worth of work getting that done.’’
‘‘Every little alteration needs to be approved, which eats up time, and that was made worse by everyone being so busy.’’ Matt Bell, Focal Point owner
After that, work will begin on stripping the building back to a shell, so the interior and partitions can be installed, with the facade and signage going up last of all.
When completed, Focal Point will be home to three boutique cinemas in the left part of the building, and a cafe and bar to the right, with a fourth cinema behind it.
Once everything is ready, Bell plans to celebrate with a private opening for friends, family and everyone who worked on the new cinema, followed by a public open day ahead of the first official screening.