Waimate Regent Theatre
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Address: cnr Shearman & Slee Street, Waimate, South Canterbury 7924
Contact Person: Judy Phone: 03 6898455 Mobile: Website: Facebook: facebook.com/WaimateRegentTheatre |
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Details
Capacity: 372
Screen: single
Sound: good, 7 channel
Seating: ranked tip-up seating
Snackbar: snacks and ice cream
Accessibility: good
Capacity: 372
Screen: single
Sound: good, 7 channel
Seating: ranked tip-up seating
Snackbar: snacks and ice cream
Accessibility: good
, flooringGeoff'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.
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.