WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. By John F. Bailey. August 9, 2004: National Amusements officials and IMAX officials are reviewing together which of one of 15 City Center De Lux movie theatres will be converted to present IMAX films, according to Jennifer McGuire Hanson of National Amusements today in an interview with The White Plains CitizeNetReporter.

City Center De Lux Director's Hall: A 500-seat venue, and possible site for installation of the new IMAX theatre coming to White Plains announced by IMAX and National Amusements today. Photo, WPCNR News Archive

Hanson said a new screen approximately 70 x 40, would be installed, and the eight-month old screen in the designated theatre site would be removed. Asked if one of the 500-Seat Director's Halls would be a possible site, Hanson said that has not been determined.

Hanson added the "installation" would involve equipping the projection facility of the selected venue with two IMAX projectors. Asked if these would be plug-ins or would require rewiring the facility to handle the extra wattage required, Hanson said she would have to check into that. A spokesman for the Mayor's Office checked with the Building Department for WPCNR and reports "I've checked with the Building Department and no permits have been requested by National Amusements, yet."

She also said some seating would have to be removed, but reconfiguration of the slope of the seating would not be required. She said that it was her understanding existing exits and entrances were adequate and would not be relocated. She confirmed that The Polar Express was scheduled to be the premier attraction at the IMAX facility at the upcoming holiday season. She could not at this time name a start date for the installation and conversion.

Asked why IMAX had not been considered a year ago when the City Center De Lux was under construction, Hanson said, "We just signed the deal last Friday."

She also said it was the company policy not to disclose the cost of the installation, though an IMAX spokesperson quoted WPCNR a $1.4 million price for their "retrofitted" IMAX installation.