New Skin For Richardson Theatre

Like much of Greater Scobey, the interiors of Richardson Theatre are surprisingly plush and up to date, despite a weatherbeaten exterior. Now the outside is getting a little love in the way of new metal siding.

Along with construction at Independence Bank and the new Silver Star Insurance building, the siding project is part of an ongoing face lift for the community.

Richardson is owned by the nonprofit Beacon Community Foundation, with Burley Bowler serving as the unofficial chair for the operating committee. “We’re owned by the foundation, but they are pretty hands off about operations,” Bowler told NPI earlier this week. “I’ve been working at the theatre since I was 15.”

Bowler said the theatre has been largely self supporting since Beacon took over ownership of the former Cinema Centre in 2012, following the retirement of longtime owner Edgar Richardson and his family. Bowler said the key to successful operations has been a strong core of reliable volunteers who staff, clean and maintain the theatre.

The new red siding at the theatre is being contracted by Fishell Construction and is expected to be completed soon, ideally within a number of weeks, said Bowler. “We’re waiting on venting for the furnace,” Bowler explained.

Bowler told NPI that the theatre switched to digital projection and sound with the 2012 takeover. Since that time, new seating on both floors, wall coverings and other improvements have modernized the space and transformed it into one of the true gems of moviegoing in the region. The original Cinema Centre was built in 1971 by the Richardson family, with “Support Your Local Gunfighter,” staring James Garner, screening at the grand opening.

Current showtimes at Richardson are 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m. on Sundays. Upcoming movies include Practical Magic 2 (Oct. 2-4), Heart of the Beast with Brad Pitt (Oct. 9-11) and the Western remake Angel and the Badman (Oct. 16-18). Visit richardsontheatre. com for more information.