Renovations to the D&R Theatre on South I Street in Aberdeen have been kept relatively quiet the past several months, however, the venue accepted delivery of a new $150,000 movie screen last week.
The delivery was expected although ill-timed.
Don Holmes, a project coordinator for Emmert International, quickly organized a volunteer working party consisting of members of ILWU Local 24, and employees from the Aberdeen public works and the parks departments and Rognlin’s, Inc. The volunteers unloaded the semi tractor-trailer by hand and strong-backed the 1,700-pound payload into the theater.
“I am most grateful for the response from the community in such a short notice (hours not days) to help us unload a 1,700-pound crate with a 1,450-pound new theater screen for the D&R Theatre,” Holmes said “A special thanks to Eric and his longshoremen from Local 24. Without them we would have never got this crate off the truck. And thanks as well to the men that came from the cIty of Aberdeen Parks Department, and the Public Works department, and Brian from Rognlin’s — thank you, all of you. You all were amazing.”
Recently, brand-new movie projection equipment was ordered and delivered to the D&R Theatre. The silver screen, projector and accoutrements have a price tag in excess of $300,000.
The owner of the D&R Theatre, Terry Emmert of Emmert International, said he is excited to get the renovations to the venue finished and open it to the public. Emmert is actively seeking input on the types of movies the public would like to see exhibited at the D&R Theatre.
“It’s very exciting and heartwarming to see that theater reopen and hopefully make that the center point of downtown by bringing in quality acts, good movies, something that serves all ages,” Emmert said. “I would like to see what the adult community in Aberdeen would like to see for films. Do they want to see movies of the past come back? What would our grade school and high school students like to see in the way of movies? Seeing this theater opened back up and revitalizing and bringing the community together will be extremely exciting. You’re working with your fellow businesses in the community, it’s good for everybody.”
According to Emmert’s team, the associated event center on the corner of South I and East Heron Street is already open for business, and the current plan is to complete the renovations and open the D&R Theatre sometime in June.
