Barco, a global leader in digital cinema technology announced today that Santa Rosa (SR) Entertainment is installing 16 of Barco's Series 2 digital projectors in its new Blue Oaks 16 Cinema opening later this year in Rocklin, CA.
Blue Oaks 16 will be the first theatre in which projectors will be positioned on lifts in the rear of each auditorium, eliminating the need to raise ceiling heights and build a costly second level for mezzanine projection booths. All projectors and auditorium operations can be managed with hand-held remote controls from the theatre with the touch of a button, omitting the need to run to the projection room to decrease audio levels and adjust other cinema functions.
Dan Tocchini, President and CEO of Santa Rosa Entertainment, comments “Because of the tremendous cost savings – not only in using an old Mervyn's store for the footprint, but also in removing the need for an additional story – we are able to keep the project cost to $10 million for a 3,000-seat theatre. It makes for a very efficient and cost-effective operation, especially considering that the technology and furnishings are the best on the market.” SR chose Rocklin because of its tremendous drawing potential, attracting patrons from all of Rocklin, nearby Lincoln and part of Roseville. “It's just one of the best sites in the country for a theatre, and the timing couldn't be better since about nine new 3D movies are expected out by the end of the year,” continued Tocchini.
The theatre was designed by Digital Cinema Development, Inc. (DCD). Owners, Larry Jacobson and Scott Stalcup, stated that construction not only used every foot of existing space, but included the innovations made possible by digital cinema that couldn't be accomplished in a film world. Jacobson commented, “Our mantra at DCD is that we are not simply designing film theatres and putting digital projectors in them. It is the digital technology that allows theatres to be built without the restrictions of mezzanines. We can put state-of-the-art theatres in places that are typically considered too spatially restrictive.”
Terri Westhafer, Director of Business Development for Barco, conveyed the synergy that all participants brought to the project: “Barco's new Series 2 projectors are compatible with more 3D solutions than any other projector and SR Entertainment will be utilizing Barco's 3D solutions in the new complex. SR has already deployed Barco projectors in several of their existing locations. Our Barco Series 2 equipment is also ready to receive the enhanced DLP4K and SR will be “future-proof” for quite some time with the new construction and design ingenuity. I've been well acquainted with both Mr. Jacobson and the Tocchini family for 25+ years. Their mutual creativity and interest in taking full advantage of the inherent savings created by Barco and the digital revolution, coupled with putting on the finest presentations possible in a plush environment, is unequalled.”
Blue Oaks 16 is set to open in November, just in time for the holiday season. Todd Hoddick, VP Digital Cinema North America commented “We thrive on innovation and we enjoy working with visionaries like SR and DCD. We share their sense of pride and we are honored to be an integral part of this solution as they open their latest crown jewel for onscreen entertainment and audience experience.”
