Kaitangata residents Chris and Grace Rottenberry, who recently arrived in the community, have some exciting news for locals — a permanent movie theatre will be opening in the town’s new Clutha Community Hub.
The Australian couple had been looking for an opportunity to establish a business in South Otago, and when they found Balclutha, they felt they could bring their dream to reality.
"We really did just dream up the idea at first, and thought it would be cool to set up shop somewhere. That was before we realised Balclutha was one of only a few small towns that doesn’t have some sort of cinema. You’d have to go to Gore or Dunedin to watch a movie," Mr Rottenberry said.
"We thought of setting up on Clyde St somewhere, but then we inquired about the massive random building that was under construction."
It was then the couple found there was a possibility of setting up in the complex. The Clutha District Council, helped the couple to refine their plans and "the rest is history", Mr Rottenberry said.
The young couple have a 2-year-old son Elijah and a new baby arriving in April, so it is all go in the Rottenberry house, and with the opening of the business they are excited to bring something new and permanent to the district as well as adding to their own life story.
"We feel it’ll become an asset to many locals, old and young," Mr Rottenberry said.
The last permanent movie theatre in Balclutha was the Old Britannia Theatre, which was sold in 1955 to Canterbury Theatre Investments Ltd. The theatre stopped screening around the 1970s when Kaitangata Lingerie was established in the building. The lingerie shop was located between Floral Giftworld and City Impact Church in Balclutha, but the building was demolished in 2010.
Since then, no permanent movie theatre has existed in Balclutha.
"We’re going to start off with blockbuster films and feel out our local audience and go from there."
The theatre will provide a 2m-high and 5m-wide screen for viewing with surround sound, 32 premium seats and three two-seater couches.
Initially it will just provide snacks and drinks. Providing hot food and other plans are in the works for the future.
Viewing times will be confirmed in future but the cinema will be open on weekdays and weekends, Mr Rottenberry said.
The Riviera Cinema Balclutha will open once the community hub officially opens, which is expected to be in July.
Mr Rottenberry said the first film to be shown will be the new Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One film.
"One thing we want to establish is keeping local with products and being eco friendly. We have invested in digital laser projection, which is kinder to the environment, and we’ll involve local businesses to keep everyone happy," he said.
Updates and information can be found on The Riviera Cinema Balclutha Facebook page.
