Tenplex cinema planned for Chch

Press, 1 December 1988, Page 1

Tenplex cinema planned for Chch

By

NEILL BIRSS

The Pacer Kerridge Corporation plans to build a 10-cinema and retail complex in a Christchurch suburb by the end of next year. The chairman, Mr David Phillips, announced the plan in Christchurch yesterday after he and fellow directors addressed shareholders on the state of the company. He described the project as a tenplex version of a multiplex, the name of such centres overseas. No site has been chosen, but

the company has been considering proposals for a joint venture, and directors looked at potential sites yesterday. The cinemas in the tenplex will be small and intimate and will show a range of film types. If the design allows a common projection box in one line, there will be one projectionist for all cinemas. If there has to be • a bend in the room there will be two. Savings in staff will also be made by joint box-office facilities. The company has already begun talks with unions on mann-

ing the multiplexes. Mr Phillips said the company wanted the details of the complex plan completed by March. Fast consideration by local bodies will be important. A tenplex he visited at Milton Keynes, Britain, was built in seven months, and he thinks the recession will enable fast construction of the Christchurch project The project will be one of about 17 multiplex cinemas being built by Pacer Kerridge throughout New Zealand at a total cost of about $lOO million. Design will vary, but they will

have or be near parking facilities, and may include shops and other entertainment facilities. Christchurch will lose some of its inner-city cinemas when the tenplex opens. Pacer Kerridge theatres facing the axe are the Avon and the Westend. The Avon cinema had no future, but the site would be useful for office or hotel use, Mr Phillips said. He described the Westend as an eye-sore. However, the two-cinema Regent had architectural interest and would be retained, he said. Details of meeting, page 23