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Topic: Building A Stadium Cinema From Scratch

Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"

Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 04-04-2002 10:38 AM

Not counting IMAX, I've only seen a movie in one stadium theatre. It was a "retrofitted" auditorium. The impression was that the seats had been mounted on scaffolding. It was pretty stable; I'm not complaining about the structure I experienced.

I'm wondering what the maintenance is like on those platforms? Is it like roller-coasters where you have to continually check for loose/missing screws or bolts? Has one of these ever collapsed?

If one were building a new theatre from the ground up, wouldn't it be better to build the tiers into the foundation? Would there be benefits to building a standard auditorium and then "retrofitting" it for stadium-style seating?

My intuition says to build it into the foundation, and I have two reasons for this:

1) Guests would not need to traverse to the front of the auditorium before climbing up to their desired tier.

2) Definitely seems sturdier and maintenance-free.

Am I wrong for trying to discourage the "retrofit" platform approach for a new structure?

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And, hey! Let's be careful out there.

~Manny.

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Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 04-04-2002 10:56 AM

no your not wrong. though if you are going to build a theater with the idea of making it stadium. Then go ahead and make it stadium seating. Why wait.

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John Schulien
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 206
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 04-04-2002 11:20 AM

I would build a flat foundation, then construct the seating over that. Two reasons. First, you gain all of the space under the seating for storage, concessions, or equipment. Second, if your theatre were to sadly go out of business, you'll get a lot more for the building if it can be gutted into flat, commercial space. If the seating tiers are built into the foundation, the building will be useless for any other purpose.

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Richard Fowler
Film God

Posts: 2392
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
Registered: Jun 2001

posted 04-04-2002 11:55 AM

Most of the stadium projects we have done have had the seating areas constructed out of steel and covered with concrete....which with new construction,the support pillars, roof trusses are usually ordered from a structual steel contractor, so this part of the project is not a stretch for them to supply. The usable space underneath allows for party rooms, storage, offices and in some instances projection rooms where the projection equipment is sent up a shaft to the auditorium while the platter and other equipment is located below.
Richard Fowler
TVP-Theatre & Video Products Inc. www.tvpmiami.com

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Jeff Taylor
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 601
From: Chatham, NJ/East Hampton, NY
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 04-04-2002 03:09 PM

I built a 16-plex stadium two years ago. I had never worked with the steel and concrete structural system for stadium seating before, but it went in very quickly and has performed beautifully. It's absolutely stable and nobody would have the slightest idea they were not on poured concrete. We did an entire 66,000 sf building in 80 days from ground breaking to grand opening--the stadium system certainly contributed to that speed.

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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"

Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 04-04-2002 03:45 PM

This is relieving to read because I think it is a foregone conclusion to go with after-the-fact stadium risers. Most likely, it is to ensure that there is resale potential if the venture goes south.

I'm feeling reassured by your comments on steel-and-concrete.

Further questions: Are there better alternatives to a steel-and-concrete construction? Worse?

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And, hey! Let's be careful out there.

~Manny.

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Dave Williams
Wet nipple scene

Posts: 1836
From: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 04-04-2002 07:55 PM

how much does a setup like that cost? Anyone have any idea?

Who makes this stuff and how do you contact them? Does anyone have schematics to follow and just build yourself? What about wood vs. steel?

Questions questions...

Dave

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John Walsh
Film God

Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 04-04-2002 08:11 PM

Depending on your local codes, don't forget to put sprinklers under the stadium seating. We forgot at one place, and now we can't use the area for *anything.*

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Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 04-04-2002 08:14 PM

Another critical reason not to dig the stadium incline into the foundation (and likely into the ground) is potential water seepage/flooding problems. Your carpet would be more likely to mildew as well. Basically you're inviting all the problems anyone with a basement has on a large scale.

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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"

Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 04-04-2002 08:21 PM

Party rooms? You mean people are having parties in the space below the theatre...while a movie is in progress?

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And, hey! Let's be careful out there.

~Manny.

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David Stambaugh
Film God

Posts: 4021
From: Eugene, Oregon
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 04-04-2002 08:33 PM

Cinemark here has a kids party room underneath a theater (kind of a cave but kids won't notice or care). Manager said it is heavily used. I think the only stipulation is everyone coming to the "party" has to buy a ticket to a movie. There are also offices (including a nice private one for the GM), seat storage & repair room, paint and other spare facilities stuff storage room, concession stockroom, and more underneath the theaters.

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Sean McKinnon
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1712
From: Peabody Massachusetts
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 04-05-2002 02:51 AM

At my all stadium 20 we have Storage Rooms, Employee Locker rooms, Employee break room, Capentry shop, And the Supervisor Room/Training Room, and 2 auxiliary concession stands all underneath stadiums.

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--Sean McKinnon
Manager
Loews Cineplex Entertainment
Liberty Tree Mall 20
Danvers, Mass
www.enjoytheshow.com

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