New theatre nearing completion

Wednesday, 21 March 2012 by Justin Cox

The Grand Avenue Theater in Belton is taking shape quite well, and is expected to be open in April, with a Grand Opening in early May.One of Belton's newest attractions will be showing the newest attractions — and doing it in a Belton old-fashioned style.

The Grand Avenue Theatre, located at the corner of River Fair Boulevard and Oakmark Drive, is only weeks from being completed, said City Councilman and owner of Harvest Technologies David K. Leigh, who is opening the new theatre this spring, with a timetable which he expects to be complete in about six weeks.

The new theatre will feature six screens and is expected to be open in late April.

Walking around the establishment, it's clearly showing the signs of a movie theater, as the projectors are in place - the only things really missing on the inside are the seats - and the spectators of course.

Much of the front facade is in place, and the main marquee will have an old style feel with a rotating stream of lights circling around the main display.

The parking lot is still mostly dirt, but that will be one of the final pieces of the puzzle to go in.

The interior is quite well along as spaces for the kitchen, bathrooms and other areas can clearly be imagined, though none of the furnishings are yet in place.

Construction began last September, and is proceeding on pace.

Leigh, who is in partnership with his father on this venture, said this sort of project has been a dream of his for some time.

"I was a projectionist at one time, and I've grown up in the area, and this is one thing that Belton and Temple have needed; it's good to have nice, local entertainment," he said. "So this will be new for the area, and be unique. We hope to have our grand opening in May and be done in the next four to six weeks."

Leigh spent the past two years planning this endeavor, and is excited to see the project come to fruition after so long.

"We are also going to have a snack bar," Leigh said. "We are going to have an old 'Soda-Jerk' café with a full-range, full-service kitchen and an ice cream parlor, so people can come in and get some ice cream."

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