Chattanooga IMAX Theater temporarily closing to install new seating

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tennessee Aquarium’s IMAX 3D Theater will be temporarily closing while they install new seating.

The theater will close from October 23 until November 2.

The company said they will install new, larger, vinyl seats. The seats will have taller headrests, larger cup holders, rocking backs and a wider bottom.

The previous seats had cloth-covered cushions, which they installed in 2010.

The exterior of the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater (from Tennessee Aquarium)

This will reduce the theater’s capacity from 384 to 337, the Aquarium said. “The trade-off in seating capacity is worth it so our guests have a better experience,” said Corey Cobb, director of IMAX operations.

In addition, the theater will not be increasing prices. Ticket prices for 45-minute films will remain $9.95 for adults and children.

“A seat that allows you a bit of recline and a headrest puts you in a better natural position to look at a screen as large as ours,” Cobb added.

The IMAX Theater will kick off their reopening with a new film, “Deep Sky.” This 2D film will feature images from the James Webb Space Telescope.