An IMAX movie screen is coming soon to a theater inside the Regal Old Mill Stadium 16 at Bend’s Old Mill District.

The upgrade will introduce higher-quality audio and visuals, a bigger screen and a more accommodating seating arrangement. The new format, based on technology first conceived in 1967, will allow for showings of regular or 3-D movies.

Internal construction to convert the theater could start after the summer movie season ends, said Robbie Arrington, marketing manager for Regal Entertainment Group, based in Knoxville, Tenn.

Arrington said he did not have specific start or end dates for the construction, which has been approved by the Old Mill District.

Currently the closest cinema with an IMAX theater is the Regal Valley River Center Stadium 15 in Eugene. A few other cinemas in the Portland area also feature IMAX theaters.

“We are expanding our IMAX footprint across the country, and this is just one of the next ones that we’re doing,” said Arrington, who recalled being on hand when the theater opened in the Old Mill District shopping area in 2000. “We’re actively looking for those high-volume locations around the country that can support with attendance this premium experience. Definitely Bend has proven to be one of those locations.”

Prices for movies in the Old Mill IMAX theater were not available at press time. At cinemas with IMAX theaters in Oregon, admission is higher for IMAX films.

A building permit filed with the city of Bend on June 2 shows the project is estimated to cost $130,000.

“They asked us if we cared (about the addition of IMAX), and we said, ‘Please do,’ ” said Bill Smith, developer of the Old Mill District. Personally, he said, he was “tickled pink” by the idea, which Regal first suggested about a year ago.

Smith said he does not recall ever attending an IMAX movie. Still, he said, “I trust Regal. Regal knows what they’re doing.”

Current or soon-to-be-released IMAX films include “Cars 2,” “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Part 2,” all available in 3D.

In addition to the Old Mill cinema, Regal Entertainment Group owns the Pilot Butte 6 cinema in east Bend. Regal’s investor information states the company operates 535 cinemas in 37 states and Washington D.C.