Cinema to celebrate 20th anniversary with free movies from 2003

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The gym at the Collier Center will reopen to the public April 3 with new rules.

The Martin County Public Library board gave the go-ahead on the gym in a meeting Monday evening. The board also announced plans to celebrate the Collier Center’s 20th anniversary in April and the center’s recent sensory-inclusive certification.

Board chairman Donny Osborne told board members that he recently consulted with Martin County Deputy Judge Carolea Mills, who operated the Collier Center for the largest part of the last 20 years, about reopening the gymnasium.

“Carolea’s a wonderful resource and gave us a few ideas for moving it along,” Osborne said.

Liability insurance was “the biggest hurdle,” according to Osborne. However, board member Maurice Mills met with a KaCo representative and the board’s attorney to plan the necessary steps for conforming with the board’s insurance policy. Those steps include new rules being prominently displayed.

New gym rules

•Patrons must sign in and sign out at the circulation desk.

•Food and glass items are prohibited.

•Tobacco is not permitted.

•Proper closed-toe athletic footwear is required (no sandals).

•Scheduled events have priority (including the library’s sensory program, family fun night and rentals like weddings, Jackie’s Gymnastics and others).

•The library is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

•Anyone found damaging property is subject to disciplinary action.

•Minors under 12 must have someone over 18 with them.

The gym will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Board member Denise Stepp asked about opening the gym on Saturdays.

“Currently we do not have the staffing to open the gym on Saturday,” said Osborne. “We do not have the budget to add extra staff just for the purpose of doing that. We hope to work toward that eventually.”

Osborne added the gym was already booked for every Saturday in April.

He also said the library has basketballs and tennis rackets available for checkout at the desk.

Collier Center sensory-inclusive certified

Osborne announced that Martin County Public Library and Movies On Main are the first entities in Martin County to become certified autism/sensory-inclusive.

Staff became certified via training provided by East Kentucky ASD and SPD and are better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible.

Sensory bags containing noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys are available for checkout at the library desk and the cinema.

The library’s first sensory family fun night was March 18, which 38 people attended.

“Those are people who have not been to our programs,” said Osborne. “Some of them have started attending our children’s programs.”

Osborne suggested the library keep the sensory family fun night every month.

“I’m really proud of the certification,” he added.

Free movies every Tuesday

Movies On Main will celebrate the Collier Center’s 20th anniversary throughout April.

“It opened April 13, 2003,” said Osborne. “The fact that it is here is something to celebrate.”

Every Tuesday in April will be a free family movie night with movies from 2003.

“We will also have special concessions,” said Osborne.