Carolina Theatre wrapping up renovations

Independent movie buffs and stage fans have been on ice this hot summer while the Carolina Theatre's been closed down for renovations and capital improvements this summer. One of those improvements happened last week, when new multi-ton A/C units were hoisted up onto the roof -- helping to keep the Carolina cooler inside in the future, too, as seen at left.

The good news is that renovations are on track and the Carolina is still on schedule for an August 17 re-opening, just in time for the return of college students and for the NC Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, which begins August 23.

Besides air conditioning and other infrastructural improvements, more noticeable upgrades from a patron's perspective include updated restrooms in the cinema section and upper balcony and a new (now ADA-compliant) ticket counter.

The Carolina is owned by the City and operated by a non-profit that brings films and performances to the historic theater. Renovations to the theater, pegged at approximately $4.5 million, were funded out of the 2005 general obligation bond.

It's been a long summer without the Carolina, with big independent films like Sicko playing to big audiences in Chapel Hill and Cary while the theater's been under renovation. Here's to a successful re-opening and the return of a downtown mainstay.

Comments

[KeepDurhamDifferent!]

Hear hear! I had to go to Franklin St. to see "Sicko". There were so many yuppies I wanted to barf.

I miss the "seasonings bar" for your popcorn at the Carolina.

[DC]

Yes, I miss the hot butter injector- the one burns your hand if your not careful. My out of town friends love to see movies there just so they can douse their popcorn with that thing.