Oct 27 2009
Carmike Cinemas, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKEC), a leading digital cinema and 3D motion picture exhibitor, today announced the November 6th opening of its new, 100 percent digital movie theatre, featuring DLP digital projection and QSC prime digital sound, plus wall-to-wall screens, including three auditoriums equipped with 3D capabilities. The unique facility is also registered with the U.S. Green Building Council – to be certified as the nation’s first stand-alone LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) theatre.
The new entertainment complex, located at the corner of 3rd and Broad Street in Chattanooga, TN, is equipped with stadium-style rocking chair seats with retractable cup holder armrests, in 11 of its 12 auditoriums. The 12th auditorium is Carmike’s first-ever VIP screening room, where 21-and-older patrons will be offered a selection of premium beers, as well as choices from a gourmet menu or standard concessions fare. They will be cheerfully served by wait-staff, while enjoying first-run features and unique, alternative content, from the comfort of their stadium-style, luxurious leather reclining seats with push-button controls.
“We are delighted that Carmike has taken the lead in LEED-certified cinema construction with the opening of their impressive new facility. Our sincere hope is that this will encourage other business owners and developers to focus on how they can also build progressive new structures that are increasingly ‘green’ in nature,” stated Jeff Pfitzer, Director of Special Projects for The RiverCity Company, a private, non-profit corporation focused on downtown development in Chattanooga, and developer of the theatre.
‘Green’ features of Carmike’s Majestic 12 Cinemas include:
- Convenience to public transportation options
- Local, recycled construction materials used throughout building process
- Energy efficiency and performance
- White membrane roof – reflecting solar energy
- LED and fluorescent fixtures with programmable controls and sensors
- Rainwater and condensation usage – in restrooms and landscape irrigation
- Indoor air quality enhanced with environmentally friendly adhesives, sealants, cleaning and maintenance products
Carmike President and CEO David Passman, stated, “Carmike is extremely excited about the opening of our new, environmentally friendly 12-plex – combining state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly building design with the most advanced digital and 3D exhibition technology. We realize environmental challenges and concerns facing our planet are becoming more critical with each passing day. For this reason, we especially look forward to bringing the first-ever ‘green’ entertainment complex to the people of Chattanooga and the surrounding communities, and we know they will also love the first-run Hollywood entertainment, including 3D features and digital alternative content, such as live sporting events, opera and independents films.”