State to demolish IMAX theater due to Walk Bridge work

<p>Plans are underway for the state to acquire and demolish the Maritime Aquarium's IMAX Theater as part of the construction project on the nearby Walk Bridge. Aquarium officials say they are working on a replacement for the movie theater, which has been part of the Maritime Aquarium since it opened in 1988. </p>

News 12 Staff

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Jun 20, 2017, 7:33 PM

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Updated 2,740 days ago

Plans are underway for the state to acquire and demolish the Maritime Aquarium's IMAX Theater as part of the construction project on the nearby Walk Bridge.

Aquarium officials say they are working to bring a new theater experience to the aquarium as a replacement for the movie theater, which has been part of the Maritime Aquarium since it opened in 1988.

Officials say the problem is the theater's proximity to the Walk Bridge, which the Connecticut Department of Transportation is replacing because it keeps getting stuck and causing massive rail traffic problems.

Aquarium officials confirm the state will acquire the theater building and demolish it to make room for construction equipment. Officials tell News 12 that it will likely happen late next year.

However, they say plans are underway to build another theater experience at the Maritime Aquarium, which hopefully would be up and ready to go before the other building comes down.

Officials have not confirmed if it will be another IMAX theater, but they say there are lots of options being explored.

"A theater experience is a very important part of the Maritime experience and our goal is to be able to continue to provide those," says Tina Tison, Maritime Aquarium director of marketing.

Officials say any new building would not be in the same location as the current one, but it will still be in the Maritime Aquarium footprint.

Other properties in the area are also expected to be acquired as part of the Walk Bridge replacement.

Construction is expected to start in 2019.