Base theater to stop showing movies Published May 11, 2007 By Maj. Erin Dick 1st SOW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- After months of discussion and attempts to increase attendance, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service will show its last two movies at the Hurlburt theater next weekend. "In February, we agreed to give the Hurlburt community a 30-day period to try and improve the theater attendance which would have a positive impact on sales and the overall operation for the theater," said Myra Moore, AAFES general manager, Eglin-Hurlburt Exchange. According to Ms. Moore, the theater has been operating at a loss to AAFES for the last two years, and with a weekend average attendance of only 48 people, it just did not make financial sense to continue showing movies at the theater. "The low weekend ticket sales do not reflect the need for AAFES to continue movie showings," Ms. Moore said. During March, AAFES offered a free showing of the film "Pride," hoping to stimulate ticket sales and get customers to return for additional move showings. However, the effort did not materialize into return customers and increased ticket sales. "My family goes to the base theater almost every weekend," said Tech. Sgt. Carlos Villarreal, 1st Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron. "I heard a rumor that it could possibly be closing and that we needed to try to get more people to go." According to Sergeant Villarreal, the base theater offers convenience for those that live on base as well as many other benefits. "It's cheaper than off-base theaters and it's good for the kids who live on base to have a place to go with their friends," Sergeant Villarreal said. "It's sad that it's closing because my family's weekend ritual is to go to the base theater. I guess now we'll have to go somewhere else. " The last two movies scheduled for viewing at the Hurlburt Theater are "Reaping" May 18 and "Are We Done Yet?" May 19. The 1st Special Operations Wing is exploring options for alternate uses of the base theater.