Return of the Rockford

After many months of closure and subsequent renovation, the Rockford Theatre is set to re-open its doors on Saturday, Sept. 19. Showtime begins at 8 p.m.

Theatre manager Glenda Collier explains, “The plan is to be open Saturdays and Sundays, showing classic movies.” She adds that some new releases will be part of the long-awaited lineup in this newly renovated space.

For the past 5 years, theater volunteers have been raising money to purchase new seats for the theater. Early in 2020, they were ready to make the purchase, as they had received grants and donations from the New Rockford Lions Club, the First Lutheran foundation, and the New Rockford Eagles Club along with an abundance of private contributions through the donation bucket at the concession counter.

However, 2020 had other plans for the theatre. When Governor Burgum closed down theatres statewide due to COVID-19, Collier saw it as an opportunity to renovate in preparation for the new seats.

The seats, which were ordered in January, got delayed due to industry shutdowns which allowed workers and volunteers more time to remodel. When the seats eventually arrived in late June, it took many community members and youth football players to unload, assemble and install them.

The seats are black and blue in color and made in the USA. These seats offer more than just comfort. They feature cup holders into which closed caption viewing devices for the hearing impaired can be placed. Headphones are available as well, so be sure to ask a movie theatre worker for more information if interested!

There’s ample leg room, and the rows were arranged so that the seats are offset, improving screen visibility throughout the theatre. The auditorium is also ADA accessible now, making it possible for people who use wheelchairs or walkers to enjoy a movie as well.

In addition to the new seats, the theatre underwent other updates, including new paint and flooring. Before the painting began, Todd Allmaras and MarJean Pfau helped prep the walls for paint. The interior of the theater was completely repainted by Collier and concession workers Logan Munson, Kenna Munson and Xavier Klocke. The aisle lighting in the auditorium was updated by electrician Mike Yri of Yri Electric, who also provided some other general electrical work.

The flooring throughout the theatre is new, with walk off carpet tiles in the entry, kinetex carpet tiles in the lobby and auditorium aisles, luxury vinyl tiles in the restrooms and concession, and luxury vinyl planking under the theatre seats in the auditorium. The new flooring will improve the acoustics as well as be durable enough to withstand the test of time. It was a team effort by Larry Danduran, Tyler Carr and Sydney Ulrich to get the floors prepped and ready for install. Concession workers Koby Duda and Nick Berglund also lent a hand.

For those of you who can’t wait to step foot in the theatre, your first chance to do so will be Saturday when the Rockford Theatre shows the 1994 production of “The Little Rascals.”

In addition, the Rockford Theatre will continue it’s “Curbside Concessions” on movie nights between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. where community members can purchase concessions to enjoy at home.