Search News

Cannon News

Base Theater reopens

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Whitney Tucker
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  It was standing room only as Air Commandos from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., flooded both the lobby and auditorium of the base theater Jan. 31, in anticipation of its grand reopening.

After funding-related roadblocks caused the theater to close its curtains in early 2013, members of Team Cannon expressed their belief that the closure had noticeably diminished opportunities for family and budget friendly activities in the area. Their concerns did not fall on deaf ears, and wing leadership began seeking a viable solution.

"The theater closed because it wasn't economical to transition from film to the digital format in which movies are being shown today," said Paul Hopkins, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron Community Center manager. "Fortunately, we found a resolution that circumvented those issues in the form of the Navy DVD Program."

The cost-effective program, which supplies eight second-run movies and eight classics at a time, enables Air Commandos to enjoy the base theater free of charge.

"If we were playing first-run movies, we'd have to charge the same prices as they do in town," Hopkins said. "This program gives us the ability to provide good, quality movies to our troops and their families for free."

In addition to monetary perks, the theater underwent a massive renovation to increase aesthetic appeal and functionality in addition to broadening concession stand options.

"Members of the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron remodeled the entire front side of the house," Hopkins said. "There are new bathrooms, tile, ceilings - the place looks great. We've also added to the concession menu and will be serving single-slice pizza, candy, popcorn and beer as applicable; we're expecting a lot of satisfied customers."

Though the process was lengthy, the scores of Airmen in attendance on opening night made the hard work worthwhile.

"It's a morale-booster," Hopkins said. "People requested we bring the theater back and wing leadership took those suggestions seriously. Our job is to support the Airmen here and we're passionate about that mission."

Press Releases