The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is planning a $20 million renovation to the Omni Theater. The theater — which shows educational and popular films — closed in 2020 because of the pandemic and anticipated updates. According to its website, the Omni will reopen “bigger and better than ever.”
At last week’s city council meeting, interim vice president Orlando Carvalho talked about modernizing the building infrastructure with an updated HVAC, electrical, and mechanical + getting a new roof. Other significant changes include:
- ADA enhancements to the theater and lobby
- Extend the outside entrance to eliminate congestion
- Install 300 new and bigger theater seats
- Improve the safety of the stairs (width, height, and handrails)
- Add a stage to enable educational events
- New LED 8k Flat Panel digital display
- Repurposing the old IMAX equipment as a permanent exhibit in the Pre-Show Foyer
The new LED equipment will be the first LED Digital Dome of its size in North America. The theater is expected to reopen in the spring of 2024. The project architect is Fort Worth-based Bennett Partners, and the construction contractor is Byrne Construction.
