My name is Joanne Struss. My husband, Darren, and I own and operate the Shamrock Drive In Theatre in Killarney, Manitoba. It was built in 1953 and we purchased it from long time owner, Dorothy Gibson, in 2011.
We knew the digital era was coming; It came fast. Friends helped us organize some fund raising events to help offset the huge conversion cost from 35mm projectors to the new digital setup. We also created this Fundrazr page at the request of those from out of town who wanted to give financially.
Exactly a week after our first fundraising event, almost 1/2 of our screen was destroyed! A lightening bolt struck the bottom of a main support beam along with extreme high winds and possible tornado activity.
It was a huge blow....but we continued on. The support was overwhelming. We placed the insurance payout in our account and began making plans as to how best repair our screen and still afford to go digital.
In March of 2016, we found a 3yr young digital set up from a previous Drive In owner in Idaho. His asking price was within our grasp. After a bit of back and forth, we became the proud owners of a complete Christie digital package for our Drive In!!
In June 2016, the last of our screen came down in an extreme wind storm. The structure was not at its full capacity and the posts, placed in the 1950's, gave up their holds. Repair ino longer an option. We will come up with a solution to rebuild something that will withstand the winds in a more efficient manner.
We we are thankful for all manner of support that we have received and look forward to serving you again as soon as possible.
Any further donations will go towards screen replacement.
