Local movie theatres have long been experiencing the impact of an extended lockdown. In 2020, theatres were only allowed to open for a short period during the summer and fall. In 2021, they haven’t been permitted to open at all.

“Last year, in the summer we were open from June 16th until we shut down but we only played one show in the evening and one show in the morning during the weekends,” said Jamel Fares, owner of Lacombe City Cinemas.

Fares’s theatre would have been forced to close down in late November when the restrictions for the second wave of the pandemic were put in place in Alberta.

He has opened concession during the day to help make a bit of extra money in order to keep the theatre open but he is afraid another extended lockdown will result in dire consequences.

“For now, I need to survive that’s why I have the concession open to sell popcorn and survive and pay the bills…I am scared to go bankrupt to tell the truth,” said Fares.

Fares has received government support but the money was short lived with his monthly bills.

“I bought the theatre here but I am still paying rent to the landlord. I got a little bit of money from the government but it’s already gone paying bills,” he explained.

Now he is opening the theatre for private household bookings as another way to bring in a bit of extra cash to make ends meet. So far, he says private booking have garnered a lot of interest on social media.

 “I am just asking for God to help us that’s it,” he added tearfully.

A GoFundMe account has been created for the Lacombe City Cinemas, you can donate here.