On the eve of Christmas, contractor Dan মেসি learned that he had won the bid for the reconstruction project of the Coober Pedy drive-in cinema. He realized that this would be a "David and Goliath" challenge, with himself playing David, and working in the outback heat being his Goliath. This project would require immense dedication and careful planning to overcome the harsh environmental conditions.
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03-20, 2025Mr. মেসি stated, "For us, the biggest enemies were the high temperatures and strong winds. There were days when the temperature approached 45, 46 degrees Celsius. We needed to hoist metal sheets and long steel components into the air. To avoid the heat and strong winds, we had to schedule work in the evenings and early mornings, because these factors would almost bring the entire project to a standstill." The team had to be resourceful and adapt their work schedule to ensure progress despite the extreme weather.
The cinema's screen was dismantled last October, but repair work did not begin until January and was completed in mid-February, right in the middle of Coober Pedy's hottest time of year. Many local volunteers also participated in unpaid labor to help the cinema reopen. While assessing the site, Mr. মেসি also found that most of the wooden structure supporting the screen had rotted. The volunteers' dedication and the extent of the damage highlighted the community's commitment to restoring the cinema.
Mr. মেসি said, "The timing wasn't ideal, but we had to get it done before the new tourist season started." Coober Pedy is located in the South Australian outback, about a nine-hour drive north of Adelaide. After Adelaide's drive-in cinema closed in November 2021, this became the state's only remaining drive-in cinema. The pressure was on to complete the project and ensure the community could enjoy this unique entertainment venue.
Mr. মেসি intermittently resides in Coober Pedy and is also the head of a community organization called "Coober Pedy Unite." He said that since opening in 1965, the drive-in cinema has been "an important part of Coober Pedy's history." "Obviously, in those days, there was no TV, videotapes, DVDs, or streaming, and the drive-in cinema was sometimes open five, six, or seven times a week. I remember my mother telling me that in the 1970s, when she and my father first met, they used to go there often." The drive-in cinema held a special place in the hearts of many residents, representing a bygone era of entertainment.
On November 16, 2023, a storm damaged the cinema's screen, forcing it to close. Coober Pedy Drive-in Cinema Committee Chairwoman Chantel Bamford said that the repair work took so long because they were waiting for the insurance company to confirm whether it could cover the costs. Ultimately, the insurance company covered the entire AUD 150,000 cost. The insurance approval was a critical step in ensuring the cinema could be restored to its former glory.
Ms. Bamford said, "I cried when the screen was finished. They (the contractors) did an amazing job, and they did it so quickly." The asset is owned by the local council but is run entirely by a volunteer committee, and all revenue from the drive-in cinema will be used for its operation. The contractors' efficiency and the volunteer committee's dedication were instrumental in the cinema's revival.
Ms. Bamford said that the drive-in cinema is a major tourist attraction for Coober Pedy, and some people even come specifically to experience it. She said the location makes this drive-in cinema unique. "When you face the screen, you're facing the town, so you can see the town's lights, the hills... it's completely different from the backdrop anywhere else." The drive-in cinema's unique setting and nostalgic appeal make it a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.
The first movie screened at the cinema this year was on March 1, while the cinema's official reopening is scheduled for this Saturday, March 22. The community eagerly anticipates the reopening, marking a new chapter for this beloved landmark.
