We Are Open!
Wednesday, May 4th 2022
It’s been a long road, but the doors are finally open at the new and improved Cinema Arts Centre! We are taking it slow this week, opening with limited show times. But this weekend, things will be back to normal. Come down to your favorite community cinema to see some old friends and catch a show!
Final Touches
Monday, May 2nd 2022
The final touches are all being put into place! The entranceway carpet is fully installed as well as the bathroom stalls! After our inspection, we will be ready to open!
Entranceway Carpeting
Thursday, April 21st 2022
Here is a look at the new branded entranceway carpeting while it was being installed yesterday!
Reopening VIP Fundraiser
Monday, April 18th 2022
We had a wonderful time at our reopening VIP fundraiser this past Thursday. Thank you so much to everyone who celebrated with us, sponsored the event, and pledged their support.
We wanted to extend a special thank you to Ron Epstein, a long-time supporter of the Cinema and business leader here in Huntington. Ron had the idea to organize and host a private fundraiser in our space, with 100% of all proceeds benefiting the Cinema Arts Centre. He made this wonderful event possible and rallied our local community in support of our organization. Click here to read more about this great night in our community newsletter!
Bathroom Upgrades
Wednesday, April 13th 2022
As the carpets have been going in, we have also been hard as work renovating the bathrooms! The new wall tiles are a huge improvement!
New Carpets
Tuesday, April 12th 2022
Our new carpets are being installed this week. They look great so far, and really tie the new look together!
Many Small Details
Friday, April 8th 2022
We have been working on many small details this week – everything from new paint in the sky room, welding new handrails for the theaters, fabricating the steps and walkways, and getting ready to install the new facade in the bathroom.
Day 3 of the Seat Installation
Friday, April 1st 2022
We have been making great progress on the seat installation! We finished installing the seats in Cinema 1 yesterday, and now Cinema 2 and 3 are already almost done!
Day 2 of the Seat Installation
Thursday, March 31st 2022
The crew has made a tremendous amount of progress in just one day. On the morning of the second day of installation, Cinema 1 – our largest theater, is almost finished! It is an amazing feeing to finally see the seats in place. Now that this major step is underway it really drives home how close we are to finishing the renovation and reopening our doors!
Time for the Seats!
Wednesday, March 30th 2022
The day has finally arrived! The seats are being installed!
New Tile
Tuesday, March 29th 2022
The new tile in the ladies’ room looks great! When they settle, the crew will seal them with grout and begin work on the walls.
Bathroom Renovation Updates
Friday, March 25th 2022
When we asked our supporters to fill out our reopening survey, many people requested some updates to the bathrooms. We are thrilled to announce that it’s happening! The crew has been working on the ladies’ room and are currently retiling the floor.
Lobby Loudspeaker Installation
Thursday, March 24th 2022
There is a lot going on this week! One of the projects included the installation of the loudspeaker system in the refurbished lobby.
Steps for the Cinema 1 Risers
Monday, March 21st 2022
Today the crew is continuing the work on Cinema 1. They’re installing new curtains on the back wall and building steps for the new risers.
More Flooring in Cinema 1 & 2
Friday, March 18th 2022
Here are a couple shots of the new floor being installed in Cinema 1 & 2. Next up, carpet and seats!
Cinema 1 Flooring
Wednesday, March 16th 2022
The work in Cinema 1 continues to move forward. The flooring was installed on the new risers in the back of the theater and they have been prepped for the new carpet and seats to go in.
Lobby & Hallway Ceiling and Lighting
Tuesday, March 15th 2022
The installation of the new lobby ceiling is almost finished and the new lighting is up and running!
Lobby Entranceway
Monday, March 14th 2022
We’ve been removing all the old tiles in the lobby entranceway. The new lobby will have weather-proof carpet and will show less of the salt and sand during the winter.
Town of Huntington Parking Lot Expansion Part 2
Wednesday, March 9th 2022
Our friends at the Town of Huntington have been making great progress on their parking lot expansion. The additional parking is going to be a great improvement on nights when the Cinema has special events and new film releases. The project will expand the parking lot from 99 spaces to 266. You can find out more about the project here.
Cinema 1 Ceilings
Tuesday, March 8th 2022
The last of the ceiling installation is almost finished! The ceilings in Cinema 2 & 3 are already complete, and we are just working on finishing up the ceilings in Cinema 1.
More Concrete
Friday, March 4th 2022
We have been doing a lot more concrete work this week. The floors in Cinema 1 have also been re-profiled and are ready for the flooring and carpets!
Floor Installation!
Monday, February 28th 2022
Today the crew started installing the new floors! We can’t wait to see how they look with the new seats and carpets!
Concrete Work
Friday, February 25th 2022
Here are a couple shots of some finished concrete work in Cinema 2. The floors were re-profiled to better fit our new seats and wiring for our floor lighting was concealed beneath.
New Lobby Paint
Thursday, February 24th 2022
Today we are working on painting the lobby!
Risers: Step Two
Friday, February 18th 2022
Construction on the risers in Cinema 1 has been moving along! The steel framework has been filled with insulation and covered in wood to prepare it for the next step.
Accent Lighting
Wednesday, February 16th 2022
Check out the cool new accent lighting that was just installed in Cinema 2!
Risers in Cinema 1
Tuesday, February 15th 2022
The crew has been constructing some impressive risers in Cinema 1. More concrete is coming soon!
New Lighting
Friday, February 11th 2022
The installation of the new ceiling is almost finished, and some of the new low-profile overhead lights are starting to go in!
Special Delivery!
Wednesday, February 9th 2022
Our new seats were delivered early this morning! It took a few hours to get them all off the truck and into the Sky Room, where they are being stored as we finish up the other steps of the project.
New Coats of Paint!
Tuesday, February 8th 2022
There is a new coat of paint going up in theater 2! The black walls are going to look sleek!
Ceiling Tiles Are Here!
Monday, February 7th 2022
After a long journey, the ceiling tiles have arrived! Today we are installing them and they look great! They are darker in color than they appear in these photos due to the work lights.
Reopening Audience Survey!
Friday, February 4th 2022
As we prepare for our reopening, we want to hear from you! We’ve put together a brief survey to help us plan for our reopening and programming for this year. We want to know what you miss, what you want to see when we reopen, and we want to hear your feedback on how we can improve and make the Cinema the best that it has ever been! Take the survey here!
Town of Huntington Parking Lot Reconstruction
Friday, January 28th 2022
Our friends at the Town of Huntington have started on a renovation of their own! The Town is currently in the process of reconstructing the parking lot of the John J. Flanagan Center, the building that houses the Cinema Arts Centre, as well as the Huntington Senior Center and Youth Bureau.
This project will expand the existing parking field by 167 spaces, providing ADA-accessible parking and pedestrian routes to the building, add an exterior area of refuge for Senior Center patrons, and install drainage, lighting, and landscaping.
This means more parking and better accessibility for Cinema patrons and our friends next door at the senior center! We’re grateful that the Town of Huntington is undertaking this project to beautify and improve our community!
You can learn more about the project, how it will impact parking, and changes to the HART H20 bus route on the Town of Huntington website by following this link.
Theater 3 Platforms
Thursday, January 27th 2022
Today the guys are beginning to construct the platform base that the new seats, carpeting, and flooring will be installed on.
A Balancing Act
Wednesday, January 26th 2022
Check out this impressive balancing work as the construction continues on theater 2!
Delivery of New Flooring
Tuesday, January 25th 2022
Some sections of our new flooring were delivered! The wood-tone is Missouri Oak.
New Carpets
Monday, January 24th 2022
Our new carpets were delivered this week! Color: “Nightshade”
Our Timeline For Reopening is Delayed
Friday, January 21st 2022
Our timeline for reopening is delayed. It’s now clear that it won’t be possible for us to make our previously announced reopening date of February 4th. However, we can assure you that the wait will soon be over.
A number of elements have combined in a perfect storm, and the work is going to take just a little bit longer. There are certain things you just can’t anticipate, the rise of yet another COVID variant being one of them. The Omicron variant has resulted in supply-chain issues, as well as delays from workers having to take leave from work due to illness. Just in the past month, our contractor, architect, designer, structural engineer, advisor, and many construction workers and electricians, have been out with COVID. Thankfully, everyone is now on the mend, but this has impacted our reopening timeline.
There have also been delays due to the fact that this work is being done in a building that is now 70 years old. Each time we’ve opened the floor or walls, there has been a new surprise, which has created a few small delays.
Our February 4th reopening plan was based upon the construction schedule created by our architects and contractors. None of the elements described above were major, but these numerous small issues have all combined to move back our reopening date.
But, although we are delayed, it won’t be for long. Work is still moving forward at a good pace. Now that the health of most of our team has improved, we have resumed meeting multiple times each week, and work on the theaters has made significant progress. Our contractors are putting together a new construction schedule that we will share as soon as we have it.
Just this past week, we finished up all the major wiring work, installed the new ceiling suspension, installed new drywall in the theaters, received the new carpeting, and started preparing for the concrete work.
We apologize that the wait is going to be a little bit longer, but we promise that our reopening is near! We are taking great strides forward every day and we are so excited to see our new space taking shape. Recalculated Membership expiration dates will be updated to reflect additional days of facility closure. We look forward to seeing you soon!
New Insulation for Cinema 1
Thursday, January 20th 2022
Here is some of the new insulation going into Cinema 1 today. Below we have the plans for the new lighting and ceilings.
Lobby Display Screens
Wednesday, January 19th 2022
Our new lobby display screens were delivered today!
Getting Ready for Concrete
Tuesday, January 18th 2022
The guys are preparing to lay down some concrete in the theaters this week.
Drywall Friday
Friday, January 14th 2022
The crew is busy today installing new drywall. Here are a few shots of them working in Cinema 3.
Working from the top down!
Thursday, January 13th 2022
We have been doing a ton of wiring work throughout the Cinema. Now the new ceilings are going in! The new ceiling suspension has been installed and now it’s time for insulation!
The Final Permits
Tuesday, December 7th 2021
Last week the Town of Huntington approved the final permits that we need for our renovation! We’ve been busy ordering all of the construction materials we need and doing some wiring work throughout the building, but now the bulk of the construction can really move forward.
Running Cables
Wednesday, November 24th 2021
Today we had Grace Systems with us at the Cinema installing and running new network cabling.
Floor Plans for the Renovated Cinema
Thursday, October 28th 2021
For those who wish to take a closer look at the new floor plans created by our architects, H2M. This is how the theaters will look when we reopen in February.
Cinema Arts Centre Co-Director Dylan Skolnick Discusses Our Reopening Date
Monday, October 18th 2021
We Have a Reopening Date!
Friday, October 8th 2021
Many of our friends in the Cinema Arts community are already aware that over the last few months we have been working closely with our partners H2M architects + engineers, All Cinema Sales and Services, and the Town of Huntington to create a timeline for the final stages of our renovation. We are thrilled to announce that the Cinema now has a projected re-opening date. We plan to reopen the new and improved Cinema Arts Centre on February 4th 2022.
This renovation will revitalize our space. The addition of new seats, carpets, lighting, and interior design is going to help modernize the Cinema and ensure that we remain a pillar of the Huntington arts community for decades to come. We are so excited to be nearing the end of this project and can’t wait for the opportunity to welcome our friends and supporters back to the movies!
Entering The Final Stage
Friday, September 17th 2021
Over the course of the last few weeks, we have been working closely with our partners, H2M architects & engineers, to confirm the plans for the final stage of our renovation. Having their support and insight has been instrumental as we examine every element of our theater space to ensure that these necessary renovations are of the highest quality and that the improvements we make will endure long into the future.
H2M architects + engineers is a Long Island based consulting and design firm that operates throughout New York and New Jersey. They pride themselves on their ability to meet tough architectural challenges and find sustainable solutions. As is the case with the Cinema Arts Centre, social responsibility is at the forefront of their mission. H2M is committed to our local community, supporting many charitable, education, and community based causes and organizations. We are very grateful for the opportunity to work together with another local business that shares our values and strives to improve our community here on Long Island.
Throughout this stage of the planning process, we have made great efforts to use this opportunity to improve the movie-going experience for our patrons. While installing new seats will make coming to see a movie at the Cinema more comfortable, we also need to ensure that the theater’s new designs won’t change the dynamic of seeing a film with us. One of our biggest concerns has been how the new seating and renovated floors will affect the sight lines of our audience. With the support of H2M, we have worked through a number of options, and created a construction plan that will improve the layouts in the theaters so that every audience member will have a good view of the screen.
As we approach the final stages of our renovation, we will meet with H2M, along with our contractors, All Cinema, to set up a timeline for the final stage of the project and our reopening. An industry expert, and local family-run business, All Cinema, has served theaters on Long Island for more than 30 years. Our collaboration with these two local companies not only means that we will have some of the top experts in the industry working to improve our space, but that this project will also support local businesses here in our community.
We Have Received Our Portion of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
Monday, August 16th 2021
Great news!
We have an encouraging update that we want to share with our community of supporters. We are pleased to announce that the Cinema Arts Centre has been awarded a vital economic grant that will assist in our reopening. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, passed into law by congress in December 2020, was created to distribute $16 billion in economic aid to live venue operators, including movie theaters, concert spaces, museums and performing arts organizations.
For much of 2021, our co-directors, board of directors, and development team worked tirelessly to ensure that the Cinema would be eligible to receive a portion of these funds. With over 10,000 grant applicants, our inclusion was never guaranteed, but we were confident that this work would pay off and we would receive this necessary aid.
The Cinema Arts Centre is exactly the type of organization the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act was designed to support. The Cinema Arts Centre recognizes the work of the elected officials who championed this bill in congress. Specifically, we express our deepest gratitude to the officials from the State of New York, Senator Kristen Gillibrand, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Congressman Tom Suozzi who represents the Cinema Arts Centre’s congressional district, and their staff. Our New York congresspeople were fundamental in securing the support that this bill needed to pass, and their offices provided an enormous amount of support to the businesses and organizations seeking this aid.
The funds allocated to shuttered venues through the SVOG program are lifesaving for hard-hit organizations such as ours and will be vital to our successful reopening. Receiving these funds will allow us to repay the expenses incurred during our closure, including the improvements to our HVAC system. It will also help us to keep all of our projection equipment in working order, support staff payroll, cover rent and utilities payments, and pay the independent contractors who have continued to host our special events throughout this period.
The economic aid provided by the SVOG program will help to ease the immense economic burden created by the loss of revenue during the past year. While we take a moment to celebrate receiving this important assistance, we want to thank all of the members and donors who have supported the Cinema during this time. The financial support that we received through our giving campaign, membership, and ticket sales for virtual programs kept us afloat while government assistance was pending. As the necessary improvements to our space continue to progress, your support is still as vital as ever.
We have now reached a point in our renovations where our partners, H2M architects + engineers, will put their expertise to work to help us cross the finish line and plan for the completion of the work on our facility. The aid provided by the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant will make it easier to quickly complete these improvements and secure our place as a prominent arts institution in the Town of Huntington for generations to come. We are so excited about the improvements coming to the Cinema and can’t wait to welcome you all back at our grand reopening.
Before and After: Ductwork
Friday, July 16th 2021
Check out these before and after shots of the ductwork we replaced on the roof while updating our ventilation. Our air quality is going to be much improved!
Choose Your Own Seats When We Reopen!
Friday, July 9th 2021
We are thrilled to announce that upon reopening, online ticket buyers will be able to select and reserve their seats through our website! This will eliminate the need for our patrons to wait in line to enter the theater or to find and save seats for special events.
Demolition is Complete!
Thursday, July 1st 2021
We finished the demolition of our old floors this week. The last of the old floor tiles and concrete risers have been dismantled and disposed of. We also finished removing a few walls and storage closets in the theaters to make room for additional seating. We will be working closely with an engineer as we prepare to lay new concrete.
Removing the Floors
Thursday, June 24th 2021
The jackhammers have been working hard this week to remove the old floors. We had the screens covered to protect them from any dust and debris and our stadium seating is being dismantled.
An Update on Reopening, Renovations, and Tracking Our Progress
Wednesday, June 16th 2021
Dear Cinema Arts Community,
We hope this finds you and your friends and family well. It has been a hard year for everyone and the stress of the pandemic has taken its toll on each of us and our community. We appreciate your loyalty and concern these past months.
As we emerge on the other side of this devastating crisis, we would like to give you an update on where we stand on reopening the Cinema Arts Centre, important infrastructure improvements we are making and what you can expect when we welcome you back to the Cinema Arts Centre.
We know that all of our friends and supporters are eager for the day when we can finally sit down to enjoy a film together at the Cinema Arts Centre. Many have reached out to share questions, and also your excitement with us.
After being closed for over a year, lots of you are wondering “What’s going on?” You’re seeing other movie theaters reopen safely, and are wondering “Why not the Cinema Arts Centre?” The answer is simple… we are in the middle of renovations.
This past year has been the worst in the Cinema’s history but has also brought an opportunity to create a better Cinema Arts Centre with many vital improvements.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant financial stress on movie theaters, along with the rest of our world. However, the temporary closure of the Cinema presented an opportunity to make improvements in our physical space. Using funds that were raised for this exact purpose prior to the pandemic, we have been making significant renovations. The challenges of supply chain shortages and construction issues have resulted in unforeseen delays, but we are moving towards completion and reopening.
Here is where we are:
Air Quality and Ventilation: One of the most important steps we have taken to ensure we can protect the health of our patrons was to improve our air quality and ventilation system. Numerous air ducts were replaced, including some that were over fifty years old! Air filtration is being dramatically improved.
New Ceiling: Ceiling tiles are being replaced throughout the entire building.
New Seats for All Three Theaters: Initially, our plan was to replace our oldest and most damaged seats. But it became clear that all of our seats needed replacement. A significant down payment has been made and our new seats are being manufactured. The new seats include cup-holders, are more comfortable, and our new layout includes additional and improved wheelchair accessibility.
Touchless Payment: New equipment for processing touchless payments has been installed in the Box Office and Café.
New Carpets: All of our old carpeting has been removed in our lobby, gallery space, and our three theaters and new carpeting will be installed. A new concrete floor needed to be poured with the removal of floor tiles as well.
We have contracted an engineer to help complete required technical drawings which has resulted in changes to the Cinema’s emergency exits. This requires building permits, and other technical requirements.
Throughout this process we have worked closely with the Town of Huntington. The Cinema resides in a building owned by the town, so major changes need to be reviewed and approved by town representatives.
We are very excited about the new Cinema Arts Centre that is growing out of this challenging year.
Our project manager, architect, and engineer are working together to create a timeline for reopening the cinema. We hope to be able to announce our reopening date soon.
For updates on these and other plans, we have created this new page on our website where we will be posting new details as they develop.
Thank you for your continued engagement throughout this unprecedented period. With your support, we know our Cinema community will emerge stronger than ever.
