In recent years Growball Cinemax in Centrepoint neglected their facilities, equipment and customers. But competitor cinemas have forced Growball to take action.

Dropping the Ball

The start of 2010 was a low for Growball. Customers were complaining, new cinemas were popping up and Kota Kinabalu got its first 3D Cinema, courtesy of GSC.

After a series of particularly bad experiences, SabahBah, and many others, finally had enough and stopped going to Growball. Growball, more than likely, noticed the increase in complaints and the decrease in customers.

Getting Back on the Ball

Fast forward 8 months and we found ourselves back at Growball to watch a movie that only showed there.

Much to our surprise we noticed that Growball had undergone extensive renovations. For one, the stairwell leading up from the 6th to the 8th floor have been carpeted and padded, immediately lending a quality feel to Growball’s foyer.

So far we’ve watch movies in cinemas 5 and 7 and both cinemas are like new (others might also be, but we can’t confirm). The bare cement floors have been carpet, the walls have been neatly padded with acoustic materials, all the seats are newly upholstered, solid and comfortable, and the sound quality has significantly improved.

24 Oct 2010: SabahBah saw Buried in the notorious Cinema 3 and unfortunately no renovations have touched this cinema. Not sure if the sound has been fixed, but it was certainly not 100%, the floors are still bare cement and, because the movie was relatively quiet, the next-door karaoke was annoyingly audible through most of the movie.

Growball’s partial response to their customers have been noted, and in doing a little bit, have probably saved their business from certain demise. Growball can once again offer a wide selection of movies at the most competitive prices in Kota Kinabalu – and in quality in the cinemas that have been renovated.

3D Coming Too

The restaurant/function area opposite the entrance to cinema 8 has closed down and is currently being converted into a 3D cinema. With this edition Growball might actually give GSC a run for their money (assuming all theaters will be renovated).

We won’t be holding our breathe, but will keep a keen eye on Groball Cinemax in Centrepoint.

Looking for showtimes? Check out Growball movie listings on SabahBah.com’s Cinema Listings page.

Growball Cinemax is located on the 8th floor of Centrepoint Shopping Centre in the heart of Kota Kinabalu.

Growball shows a variety of Hollywood, Malay and Chinese movies. The screens are supported by confectionery counters selling soft-drinks, caramelised popcorn and hot-dog sausages.

Complementing the cinemas are an eatery, Internet cafe, pool hall, electronic video game arcade and the popular instant Karaoke machines, K-Box.

Co-located on the same level is KK’s current largest bowling centre, CPS Bowl.

A variety of show times feature at Growball Cinemax and depending on the day of the week, can start early morning until very late at night, with frequent midnight screenings of new releases.

Ticket prices very from RM5 on certain days with student discounts to RM17 for two on a couple seat, a couch-like seat with no armrests. Usual movie tickets are RM8.

For a listing of the latest movies and movie show times at Growball Cinemax, visit SabahBah’s Cinema Listings page.