Attendance issues cloud future of Center Theatre

    GRUNDY CENTER — Attendance issues have plagued movie theaters nationwide the past several years, and that trend has not escaped Grundy Center’s Center Theatre. The issue is so severe, according to theater manager Mike Steinmeyer, that if things do not turn around the theater could be in danger of closing.
    “The theater simply needs more attendance to stay open and keep our status with movie companies so we can continue to get current movie releases,” he said.
    Though Steinmeyer did not have specific numbers available, he said the theater used to draw more than 100,000 people per year to its evening shows. Now he said the number is half that or less. And 2014 was its lowest year yet.
    The trend downward began around 2008 or 2009.