Movies in the park canceled — for now

The free movies in the park series presented by Boulder City Chamber of Commerce has been canceled for now because the portable screen was damaged during last year’s Trunk or Treat celebration.

Jill Rowland-Lagan, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, said six of the rings used to tether the inflatable screen were pulled out by high winds.

“It constantly loses air so it won’t stay afloat,” she said.

Fortunately, the chamber has located a company that can repair the $6,500 screen, which is the same size as a screen at a drive-in movie. However, that person has a waiting list and cannot say when the repairs can be done or how much they will cost, Rowland-Lagan said.

The material the screen is made of is the same as that used for hot air balloons, which the company is working on now.

She added it takes about six people to maneuver and unroll the screen, so the company that will do the repairs is waiting until it has an opening before seeing what needs to be done and what the cost will be.

It is hoped the screen can be repaired and the movie series resumed in the fall, she added.

Additionally, the motor on the projector used to show the movies burned up and needs to be replaced.

Rowland-Lagan said chamber officials will think about getting a new projector only after the screen has been fixed.

In its second year, the movies in the park series was gaining popularity, with about 700 people attending “Frozen” in July, Rowland-Lagan said, adding there were so many people present they were sitting in both Bicentennial and Wilbur Square parks.

In addition to the costs for repairing the screen and projector, Rowland-Lagan said the chamber will need to find sponsors to help with costs for the series. Each presentation costs about $1,200, which includes obtaining rights to show the movie and hiring 12-16 people to help set up and maneuver the screen.

“It’s not an easy thing to set up,” she said. “But that’s the whole draw. It’s the largest mobile movie screen.”

Hali Bernstein Saylor is editor of the Boulder City Review. She can be reached at hsaylor@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9523. Follow @HalisComment on Twitter.