The IMAX grand opening is finally upon us. For the movie goers that have been eagerly awaiting the opening of the IMAX the wait is over. Tomorrow, Thursday, March 24 there is a special 6 p.m. screening of Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and then another one at 9:30 p.m.

With a floor to ceiling screen that is 70 feet wide and three stories tall, guests of the Galaxy Luxury + theatre will have the full IMAX experience in a brand new custom built venue.

“We try our best to stay on top of it,” said Galaxy General Manager Nathan Paul. “IMAX is not necessarily new but we found an opportunity to be able to bring one to this area.”

The IMAX theatre has over 300 seats and two projectors running simultaneously on a bright screen to provide optimal viewing along with sound that is calibrated a certain way specifically for the IMAX experience.

Every morning the IMAX system goes through a 45-minute calibration for the video and audio.

Prior to the official ‘Grand Opening’ celebration, another special event is planned.

A Wednesday night (March 23) fundraising ‘sneak peek’ will feature Jurassic World, a block buster big screen hit from last summer. Tomorrow, when the new facility opens, it will be featuring Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, not only in IMAX, but other Riverbank screens will show it in 3D, DFX and DBox theaters.

Filmgoers at the special event tonight will be supporting the Riverbank Historical Society and its building plans. The group is raising funds to build an annex next to its Historical Museum, a former Carnegie Library on Santa Fe Street in downtown Riverbank. The current building doesn’t afford the museum the ability to display many of the items in its collection, such as the first fire truck to serve the city of Riverbank, a 1918 Model T Fire Engine and other large items.

General admission tickets for the special showing of the film Jurassic World have been on sale for $30. Doors open for the general public at 6:15 p.m.

Until 4 p.m. today, tickets will be available at Farmers Insurance, 3313 Santa Fe St. (869-1100), and at O’Brien’s Supermarket, 6331 Oakdale Road (869-9050). In addition, they’ll be on hand for purchase at the door tonight.

The fundraising event will be a great opportunity for the community of Riverbank and beyond to be the very first to experience a movie on the new IMAX screen, before the general public, according to society members. It’s also a chance to learn about the Riverbank Historical Society and its mission to preserve the city’s rich history, and help kick off its annex building campaign.

Whether they attend the fundraiser or a regularly scheduled show, Paul said the experience will be first class.

“I wouldn’t say there is a bad seat in the house,” added Paul. “We still have the reclining seat backs. They are comfortable chairs. We are one of the only theatres that have recliners in an IMAX.”

The tiered seating of motorized recliners will allow the movie goers to recline; however, there will be no foot stools to kick their feet up. The seats will have the swinging food tray so that your treats of gourmet sausages, pizza, wine, beer and popcorn have a place.

“Just being able to bring all that to a city the size of Riverbank I think is pretty special for the area,” expressed Paul. “So hopefully people do appreciate what we are doing and what we are able to bring to them here.”

Paul has been the General Manager in Riverbank since 2009 and through the years he has seen some changes in the industry like the addition of luxury seating, serving beer and wine, and 3D technology.

In the beginning of construction there were a few issues, Paul shared, but once the construction started the new theatre began to form quickly.

“They have been doing a great job,” said Paul.

The new IMAX at Galaxy Luxury+ in Riverbank will be open to the public on Thursday, March 24.

“If you want all the bells and whistles and you really want to enjoy a film going to a theatre is the place to go,” stated Paul. “IMAX just adds something extra by giving you the biggest screen in the area and a way louder sound than you have at home.”

News Correspondent Ric McGinnis contributed to this report.