Despite the devastating loss of the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre to fire last week, the Teviot Valley community can be assured the silver screen will remain in the town. 

The centre was home to the Roxburgh Cinema which had been showing movies since 1897 making it one of the longest continuously running cinemas in the world. 

The cinema was community-run and staffed by volunteers.

Roxburgh Entertainment Centre Improvement and Promotions Incorporated (RECIP) chair Curtis Crawford said there will be a movie showing on Saturday, March 29 in one way shape or form.

“We will find a way, I’m not sure how it will pan out, but I’m not one for giving up easily.”

Curtis said he had a few options lined up for projecting a movie and a projector confirmed to borrow.

The location of where the movie will be screened is still to be worked out, Curtis was unable to say if it would be a drive-in. 

“It depends if we are allowed into the carpark, for safety reasons we might not be.”

“There is a fire investigation taking place… if it’s not there it may be held in a different council building."

With six weeks to go until the screening date, details would be announced as they were finalised and locals could stay updated on the Teviot Valley Buy/Sell and community Facebook pages.  

Work to clean up the site began yesterday.

Central Otago District Council (CODC) acting group manager – planning and infrastructure Lee Webster said for public health and safety reasons, it was imperative people kept their distance from the site while work was in progress. 

Council had brought in a water tanker to dampen the area immediately adjacent to the site.

“Inevitably, dust and dirt will result from the clean-up, and we will be doing our best to reduce the impact on the surrounding properties.

“This has been a sad, stressful time for the community with the loss of a much-loved landmark building. Public safety remains our top priority, and we ask that the community keep themselves safe and well away from the site.”

Restrictions on the road remained and neighbouring properties and the council was working closely with neighbours.

While the engineer’s initial findings from the inspection on Monday were not favourable, should there be an option to save the façade, there would need to be a clear understanding of costs, timelines and ongoing disruptions to the community. 

Council’s property team will provide an update to CODC tomorrow.

Read more: Fire investigators seek community help after fire

Read more: Community devastated after fire rips through Roxburgh Town Hall

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