The Šumperk cinema Oko awaits another stage of reconstruction, and a small screening room will be created

Šumperk - The Šumperk cinema Oko is awaiting another phase of reconstruction. The work is scheduled for this year and the next, focusing on the first floor, where a small screening room will be created, as well as a new roof and facade, which will be insulated. Over 18 million crowns have been allocated in the budget for this, reported the spokesperson for the Šumperk town hall, Soňa Singerová. The city has announced a tender for the project.

The reconstruction is planned according to the study and project by architects Ivo and Jan Skoumal. The new small screening room will be located where the existing apartment is on the first floor. "The small hall Očko, as I call it for short, will have a capacity of 39 seats. Compared to the large hall, the seats will be wider and therefore more comfortable. Audiences will especially appreciate that their visit to the cinema will not be associated with refreshments during the screening. Očko will be designated solely for enjoying films, so consuming food and drinks will not be allowed during the screening," said the cinema director Kamil Navrátil.

According to him, the establishment of the screening room will increase the number of screenings by approximately 500 per year. "The hall will help us make better use of the potential of the films being screened. Audiences will have a better chance to see a film even with a longer time gap after the premiere. There is still interest in films that we are currently unable to include in the program. Moreover, we will also be able to expand our offerings for seniors and children, and there will be no problem repeating art films," the director added, mentioning that there will also be more space for festival feedback and other alternative content.

According to Pavel Volf, head of the strategic development department at the Šumperk town hall, the building adjustments will also affect the director's office and sanitary facilities. A smaller snackbar and screening room with facilities are to be built next to the hall. "As part of the planned reconstruction, the building of the only cinema in Šumperk will receive a new roof, all metal elements will be replaced, and the facade will be transformed with insulation. It is designed in a modest color scheme in shades of light and dark gray," the town hall spokesperson added.

The last major renovation, which affected the foyer with the ticket sales area, locker rooms, and corridors leading to the large screening hall, took place five years ago. That nearly five-month reconstruction was completed with the installation of sound equipment. After the completion of the phase planned for this year and next, the last part of the renovation, which focuses on the area in front of the cinema itself, will remain, Singerová added.