When Amanda Gonzalez walks through the doors this week of what was the Century Aurora 16 theater, tears likely will fill her eyes.
It’s been nearly six months since Gonzalez and her two children escaped Theater 9 without any physical injuries as a gunman opened fire on a midnight premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises.”
And now, after months of remodeling, Cinemark will reopen the complex where 12 people were killed and 58 others were injured by gunfire.
“This is closure,” said Gonzalez, her voice cracking with emotion. “We were so blessed to get out together that night. My kids want to see it (theater), so we’ll all go back in together.”
On Tuesday and Wednesday, victims and their families — such as Gonzalez and her kids, who live a few miles away — will be allowed to tour and have private moments inside the complex, now known as the Century Aurora.
Then, on Thursday, the multiplex will mark its official reopening during an event billed as an evening of remembrance, when Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, Gov. John Hickenlooper and Cinemark CEO Tim Warner plan to make remarks.
The city of Aurora expects to distribute nearly 2,000 tickets to victims, first responders, employees from several metro-area hospitals and volunteers.
Counselors will be available at the theater should anyone need support during the tours or the special event, Aurora officials said.
“This is about healing, hope for the future and thanking the literally hundreds of people on the front lines in the immediate aftermath of the shooting,” Hogan said. “We’re a community that’s still working through this.”
Following the ceremony and remarks, a movie will be shown.
Tom Sullivan, whose son Alex was killed in the shooting July 20, said he will attend the ceremony Thursday.
“Sometimes people in the community might look to some of us who have lost a loved one, to see if it’s OK to laugh again or go to the movies,” Sullivan said. “And for me, it is OK. Going to the movies is what I like to do.”
Business considerations likely played a big role in deciding whether the theater complex — among the largest and most profitable in the Denver metro area — should reopen. Aurora officials also said a survey from August showed overwhelming community support for reopening the theater.
Cinemark planned to spend about $1 million changing the look of the complex inside and out.
The purple hue and neon lights on the theater’s towering facade have been replaced with a more somber swamp green.
According to building plans filed with the city, Cinemark made significant changes to Theater 9, transforming it into an “extreme digital” theater with wall-to-wall and ceiling-to-floor screens.
Cinemark, which has been the target of several lawsuits since the shooting, declined to comment for this story.
In an open letter to Hogan in December, Warner said the company will offer free movies to the entire community from Jan. 18 to 21.
People can come to the theater beginning Friday for free movies through Jan. 21. The schedule of films has not yet been released.
Gonzalez said her family often went to the theater, which is near where her family shops and eats out. “It is part of the community,” she said.
Not everyone directly affected by the shooting agrees it should be reopened or that a ceremony should be taking place.
Several families of victims have said they will boycott the reopening ceremony, calling it a “publicity ploy” by Cinemark to divert public scrutiny from the company. They say that in the wake of the tragedy, Cinemark has never reached out to them and personally offered condolences.
But Gonzalez, like Sullivan, agrees with Hogan that the theater’s opening is an opportunity to heal.
“I’ve been terrified to go to the movies,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez and her 15-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter tried to see a movie once since the shooting but had to leave during the previews because sitting in a dark theater was too overwhelming for them.
“After going back to this theater, I think that will change,” she said.
Kurtis Lee: 303-954-1655, klee@denverpost.com or twitter.com/kurtisalee
Century Aurora reopening
• Tuesday and Wednesday, victims and families will be allowed to tour and have private moments inside the theater by special arrangement.
• 5 p.m. Thursday is the official reopening. Mayor Steve Hogan, Gov. John Hickenlooper and Cinemark CEO Tim Warner will join more than 2,000 victims and their families, first responders, hospital employees and volunteers to reopen the theater complex. Counselors will be available during this time.
• Free movies for the community will be offered Jan. 18-21. People can just come to the theater beginning Friday.
