Narrow gauge screening room construction – part 2

In August 2025 we updated you with the current progress of the PPT's second screening room, to be used for narrow gauge (8mm, 9.5mm, 16mm) and video. Since then a lot more work has happened, with the goal of getting it ready for the 2026 AGM mid-April.

We pick up the work with the construction of the stud walls for the screening room. The images here show the walls and panels being installed by PPT archivist Tom Harris, and Dean Clough Coordinator Dion Hanson.

tom-harris-constructing-ppt-narrow-gauge-screening-room-2-walls

We can also see the wall that will form the screen, with the speakers behind it.

The next job was to install the new trunking and sound rack in the projection area in preparation for the wiring runs. You can see panelling on the rear wall which could now be completed as the conduit runs in the wall had all been installed.

This has been a slow process as we had to work around the pillars which necessitated a lot of work with a jig saw to get the panels to fit snugly. Just a few more bits and pieces of panelling and then we can start filling and decorating the walls and ceiling. The floor will be the last thing. All the wall panels in the projection area and theatre have all been done using recycled material so costs have been kept as low as possible during construction.

The surround speakers are being installed in the screening room, it sounds a bit grand saying auditorium (how many seats make it an auditorium?). Plus all the speaker runs are in and tubed to the sound rack for the 5.1 video presentations. There are separate runs and speakers for the mono 8mm and 16mm projectors.

Final push to complete the construction and then it's decorating and hanging drapes, not forgetting a screen of course! With the deadline being the AGM on the 18th April.