MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, Yuma -- For many years, the station theater has shown hundreds of movies free of charge to station service members, civilians and their families.
As of June 1, this service is no longer offered for free. All Marine Corps installation movie theaters that were not already charging were required to begin doing so, in accordance with Marine Corps policy.
The station theater now charges $2 for patrons age 13 and older; children ages 7 through 12 cost $1 and children 6 and younger are free.
Marty Carter, entertainment complex manager, said the station theater, along with other installation theaters on the West Coast, applied to Headquarters Marine Corps for permission to continue serving its patrons free of charge, but were denied.
According to the Marine Corps Community Services Recreation Activity Pricing Policy, installation theaters must generate revenue and admission fees must be charged "to ensure a net operating profit for the program of at least 4 percent."
As a result of the steadily increasing program requirements and cost, and "Marines' and their families concerns regarding consistent MCCS recreation activity pricing from base to base," MCCS established specific policies for all Marine Corps installations.
Although the station theater has begun charging admission, the prices are reasonable according to some of the patrons.
Retired Army Staff Sgt. Roger Salvidas said he has attended the theater for nearly five years, and is very impressed with the services offered.
"I was used to it being free, but two dollars is not much to pay for what we get here," said Salvidas. "The movie theaters out in town play the same movies, but you have to deal with a much larger crowd, more expensive food and you don't have the military atmosphere. I don't mind the price increase at all; I think it's worth it."
Cpl. Gena Byrd, Intermediate Maintenance Activity noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, said she attends the theater about two times each week and although she enjoyed the free movies, she doesn't mind paying because of the great service she receives.
"(The theater) has a lot of sneak previews and they have a nice, clean theater," said Byrd. "It is a great place to take my son, to spend quality time with him, and he still gets in for free."