14-SCREEN THEATER TO OPEN IN CITY FRIDAY

-- LOCATION247 Siemers Road in Cape West Developmentn SIZE50,000 square footn CONSTRUCTION COST$2 millionn LOBBY Huge lobby spotlights neon-sculpture designs hanging from the ceiling. On the rear wall of the lobby, a rear-projection movie screen will showcase the latest film previews. Patrons can play video games at the Family Game Center adjacent to the lobby.n AUDITORIUMS14 large screens withdigital sound.n SEATING 2,216 high-backed, stadium, tiered seats with cupholder armrests. Two screen, each with 270 seats. Two screens, each with 187 seats. Two screens, each with 147 seats. Six screens, each with 130 seats. Two screens, each with 112 seats.n CONCESSION STANDMulti-station concession area will include nachos, hotdogs, bonbons, bottled water and ice tea.n ADMISSIONAdults: $6 for evening shows, $4 for matinees, $3.75 for rush hour.Senior citizens: $3.75Children: $3.50

Summary:

The opening of Cape West 14 Cine will more than double the number of movie screens in Cape Girardeau.

An army of construction workers labored to put the finishing touches on both the inside and outside of Cape Girardeau's new 14-screen movie theater Tuesday.

Kevin Dillon, the theater's general manager, kept tabs on everything, right down to the light bulbs. He has been putting in long hours. But these days he can't help but smile when talking about the nearly finished theater.

"We're excited," he said.

The Cape West 14 Cine is slated to open its doors Friday. The first shows are at 11:30 a.m. Dillon said the cinema will offer matinees throughout the summer and probably year round.

At 50,000 square feet, the cinema is the largest in the region.

Only 10 of the screens will be in operation for the grand opening. The other four won't be finished and in operation for about a month, Dillon said.

But Wehrenberg Theatres, which owns the movie theater, didn't want to delay the opening.

"We just couldn't wait. There is a lot of excitement in the community," said Dillon.

The 14 screens will more than double the number of screens in Cape Girardeau, bringing the total to 23, more than any other city between St. Louis and Memphis.

That doesn't include the single-screen Broadway Theater, which currently is closed.

With 23 screens and a population of about 36,000, the city of Cape Girardeau will have a movie screen for every 1,565 residents.

Dillon said Cape Girardeau already draws moviegoers from a large area. He said that trend should continue with the opening of the new cinema.

Wehrenberg Theatres of St. Louis operates the four-screen West Park 4 Cine at West Park Mall.

The company plans to keep that theater open. West Park 4 Cine will show second-run movies at reduced prices beginning Friday. Admission charge will be $2 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and $1.50, Monday through Thursday.

Kerasotes Theaters, headquartered in Springfield, Ill., operates the five-screen Town Plaza Cinema. It also owns the Broadway Theater.

Wehrenberg's will charge about 50 cents more for admission to its 14-screen theater than it has been charging at its mall cinema.

The highest price ticket will cost $6 for an adult.

But Dillon figures moviegoers won't mind when they see what they will get for their money.

What they will get is a spacious, lobby with neon sculptures hanging from the ceiling and a rear-projection movie screen on the back wall that will showcase the latest film previews.

A large concession area stretches along the wall at the back of the lobby. It can handle up to seven lines of people.

There is even a game center adjacent to the lobby where moviegoers can play video games.

The auditoriums are the first in this area to feature high-backed, stadium seating. The tiered, balcony seating will allow patrons a better view, Dillon said.

This should improve viewing, particularly for children, he said.

Dillon stopped to sit on one of the plush seats as he toured the building with a reporter Tuesday afternoon.

He talked about the digital sound and the good-sized screens, as well as the armrests and the leg room.

"It will make an awesome presentation," said Dillon.

Wehrenberg Theatres is the oldest, family-owned theater business in the nation. The company dates back to 1906 when silent movies grossed $5 a day and founder Fred Wehrenberg's wife played the piano during each show.

Wehrenberg is the largest movie chain in the St. Louis area and is listed in the top 20 nationally. It operates about 160 screens in Missouri, Illinois and Arizona combined, most of them in the St. Louis area.