The news that the Walton Theater may soon be opening back up is a big positive for Selma. The theater will be leased to All Things Are Possible Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit  organization in Selma, who will manage the day-to-day operations.

The reopening still has to be approved by the Selma City Council, but if approved would show first-run movies every Thursday through Sunday, along with some holidays that fall on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

Having a place to go and enjoy a good movie is always exciting, but it will take the community’s support to stay open. We’ve already seen the Walton Theater have troubles,which is why the doors closed in the first place.

The previous lessees cited low attendance numbers as one of the main problems they faced. That’ll obviously have to change this time around.

If the theater is going to thrive, it is going to take the backing of the city government and citizens, who need to take advantage of having a movie theater they can go to in town.

After the success the theater experienced in January with screenings of “Selma,” we are hopeful that the success will continue into the opening, but it’s hard to compare the two. All of the screenings of “Selma” were free and the movie held a connection to this city unlike any film created before.

We’re hopeful that even when moviegoers have to pay to get in that those in Selma will still frequent the theater instead of going to Montgomery or other cities to watch new releases. We’re glad to see the Walton Theater on the brink of reopening. It would give those in Selma a place to enjoy a weekend or holiday movie, but now the ball is in the court of those that make up our community.

Will there be enough interest to keep the doors open longterm? We certainly hope so.