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Waimate Regent Theatre 

Address: cnr Shearman & Slee Street, Waimate, South Canterbury 7924

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Contact Person:  Judy
Phone:​  03 6898455
Mobile:

Website:
Facebook:  facebook.com/WaimateRegentTheatre

Details
Capacity:  372
Screen:     single
Sound:      good, 7 channel
Seating:    ranked tip-up seating
Snackbar:  snacks and ice cream
Accessibility:  good

, flooring​Geoff's Review
The farming service town of Waimate is just a short detour (6km) off the main highway,  south of Timaru. The Regent, a Kerridge Odeon cinema more than 50 years ago, was purchased by the Waimate District Council. Ownership was passed to the Waimate Regent Theatre Trust,  who operate it as a community-oriented venue, with a paid projectionist and cleaner and a group of keen volunteers. It can be considered as an 'old school' cinema, seating up to 372 in a single-screen, large auditorium (which sometimes fills to capacity). Furnishings are mostly original but seating, flooring and stage have had recent community-funded upgrades as this venue often hosts live events, in addition to screening recent or second-run releases (mainstream and art house) three days per week (Friday/Sat/Sunday). 
Spend a little time in town if you are interested in interesting old buildings. The most interesting one is the old Arcade Building (see photo), which was the first purpose-build shopping arcade in New Zealand, later to house a cinema. It now sits abandoned and I fear it may be demolished unless someone saves it.
Update: January 2022.  I have heard that the Regent Waimate is currently 'moth-balled' whilst decisions are made about its future.
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