Jasper will be without a cinema for more than a month, as the Chaba theatre is set to close its doors for renovations on Nov. 6.

Theatre owner/manager Dwain Wacko said the closure is the first part of a three part renovation project aimed to upgrade the theatre.

“We are making physical changes to the theatre to make way for digital projection,” Wacko said. “In five years, digital will be the standard in the industry.”

The theatre should reopen before Christmas, Wacko said, but audiences will be able to see some small changes.

“There will be a different acoustic treatment on the walls,” Wacko said, who said the screen will have to be moved, so the first row of seating is also disappearing from the theatre.

The second closure will occur later in 2010, and will upgrade the sound system. A third closure, which has yet to be scheduled, will include the transition to digital projection.

By making the transition to digital, the theatre will be able to keep pace in the industry, and show 3D films, which are becoming more common in Hollywood. The image quality of digital prints is now comparable to film, Wacko said, which is why the transition is occurring now. 

“There are no scratches on the prints, so the image remains the same from day one to the finish. We rarely scratch prints, but sometimes we get scratched prints. Digital is as good as film with a new print,” Wacko said.

Many of the large multiplexes have converted at least one of their theatres to digital projection.

The closure means movie goers will need to drive to Edson, Edmonton or Banff to view a film on the big screen. Hinton lost its theatre to fire last summer. 

The last night for the Chaba theatre will be on Nov. 5, which will include the last Jasper Film Club showing until the New Year.