Guessing when theatre will be open

Jeff Smith in front of the Saraton Theatre opening date game.

WITH no confirmed date set for the Saraton Theatre’s grand opening, local retailer I Scream has decided to take a punt and start a countdown.

I Scream owner Jeff Smith said the community’s interest in the highly anticipated theatre sparked the ‘when will the Saraton open’ competition which has already had more than 100 entries.

“There is just so much speculation out there that we thought we would have a bit of fun with it,” he said.

“There is a groundswell of expectation out there. So many people want it.”

Mr Smith is asking customers to guess the time and date of the screening of the first movie at the new cinema.

A year’s ice-cream is up for grabs for the closest guess, with estimated opening times on the competition board ranging from March 19 to early 2011.

Part-owner of the Saraton, Spiro Notaras, said although he could not yet confirm the opening date for the theatre, projection equipment was due to arrive in the next fortnight and works were progressing well.

“Things are moving very quickly now,” he said.

“The main cinema is just waiting on lights, carpet and equipment and the smaller two theatres are progressing well.”

He said he was hoping to see the theatre open and operating in the next eight weeks but would not guarantee an official opening date.

Mr Smith as long as people were screaming out for the theatre to open the competition would continue.

“We will keep it up there until it opens and have a bit of fun with it,” he said.