Mount Ayr’s Princess Theater has temporarily suspended operation due to the failure of its projection system. The theater will remain closed until further notice.
The malfunction was discovered Saturday, December 14 just prior to the regular 7 o’clock showing. A later inspection by Heartland Theater Services revealed the projector would require refurbishing or replacement.
The cost to refurbish the current 13-year-old projector was estimated at $20,000. Replacement of the current projector with a brand-new laser projector was quoted at $48,886. (One advantage of a new laser projector would be the elimination of a need to replace $1,000 projection lightbulbs on a regular basis.)
At an emergency meeting last week, the theater board elected to order a new projector with the hope of having it delivered within the next 2 to 3 weeks, with installation to follow.
The goal is to have the theater open again by mid-to-late January.
The Princess board is seeking tax-deductible donations and plans to announce a series of fundraising events in the coming weeks to offset the unexpected cost of the new projector.
Donations may be sent to the Princess Theater or given to theater manager Karen Bender or to any board member: Angi Dodge, Doug Greene, Fay Howie, Shaun Kniep, Martha Landphair, Deb Lynch, Kristi Sackett, Ron Schafer, and Darla Sobotka.
