ATHOL — Movie buffs eagerly anticipating the opening of Athol Cinemas 8 will have to wait at least another week.
The projected soft opening of the eight-screen theater at 265 Reservoir Drive at the North Quabbin Commons uptown has been moved to May 18.
Stepping around workers laying carpeting in the foyer, General Manager Terri Michalec-Beam said this week that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the theater is delaying its opening day until then.
“We are having problems with the internet service, which affects ticketing and scheduling,” Beam said. “There are also delays in the laying of the carpet, inspections and lighting issues,” she said. “We want everything to be up to code. These are things we couldn’t control. We have to have the certificates saying the building is safe.”
The parking lot shared with Hobby Lobby was the site of a variety of service trucks, including one from a heating and ventilation company. Gleaming glass cases feature a variety of colorful candy choices — from Junior Mints to M&Ms and two jumbo popcorn poppers stand at the ready for the movie muncher.
Beam said the offerings will be basic (popcorn and nachos) for the opening, and items such as soft pretzels will be introduced later.
“I may put a poll up on our Facebook page asking patrons what they want for treats or movies,” she said, adding that she is looking into pricing the Nestle DIBS frozen snacks.
Several workers were seen milling about and a peek into one of the screening rooms revealed plush, roomy leather recliners spaced comfortably apart. A worker demonstrated the silent electric control that adjusts the seat back to each movie-goer’s preference, available on all the seats except a few in the rows that allow spaces for handicapped patrons’ wheelchairs. Each room holds between 50 and 104 people and includes accessible seating.
The color theme is uniform throughout the theater — pleasing blue and gold walls and carpet throughout in a movie projector reel pattern in blue, gold, white and a dash of red on a black background.
The 19,000-square-foot theater will feature state-of-the-art digital presentation, with digital sound and 3-D and closed captioning. Movies will play from noon to midnight daily. There is a large party room for birthdays and special occasions.
Beam said the movie lineup is not yet determined.
“We find out from week to week what will be playing,” she said.
She noted a call for employment applications garnered more than 500 responses. To start, 11 people have been hired, mostly local people, “and we may hire more people in the summer.
Movies currently being featured on the Athol Cinemas 8 Facebook page include: “Ocean’s 8,” “Incredibles 2,” “Christopher Robin,” “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” and “Adrift.”
Beam said there will be a grand opening with a ribbon-cutting sometime in the near future.
To check what is playing, call 978-301-6006. The main line is 978-249-3437.