The Civic Theatre is temporarily closing from 10-21 November for major technical upgrades.
The $207,000 capital works will include the replacement of the cinema's projector, screen, and audio system, which will significantly enhance picture and sound quality, ensuring an improved experience for audiences, and community and visiting events, such as live theatre and entertainment.
Gunnedah Cultural Precinct Team Leader Danny Hankinson said the current lamp-based projector was more than 10 years old and would be replaced with a laser projector, offering better brightness, colour accuracy, and longer lifespan. It will require less maintenance and consume less power.
The speakers will be upgraded from a single amp system to a bi-amped system to improve sound quality by providing more power, reducing distortion, and improving clarity.
"Technology has advanced significantly and much of the original equipment has reached the end of its useful life," Mr Hankinson said.
"This upgrade ensures the cinema remains a modern, accessible, and high-quality facility for the community and visitor."
The new digital equipment will be easier to operate and maintain and will feature streamlined controls and automated systems for screening management.
"This is an exciting step for the Cultural Precinct team. This planned, capital expenditure is the culmination of long-term planning and investment to improve the cinema experience for the community," Mr Hankinson said.
"The new equipment will make a huge difference for audiences and staff alike and supports the Precinct's goal of maintaining a professional and welcoming venue for all users."
Mr Hankinson said the closure of the theatre was necessary to enable the contractors to complete the works safely and efficiently.
"By closing the cinema, contractors will have uninterrupted access to carry out the works, enabling us to open the doors sooner so our community can once again make use of this fantastic multi-use space," he said.
"In the meantime, patrons can look forward to a higher-quality, more immersive cinema experience."
Caption: Gunnedah Cultural Precinct Team Leader Danny Hankinson is anticipating an enhanced experience at The Civic Theatre following major technical upgrades this month.
