Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/70344
years, the little theatre also features the Spinning Wheel gift shop and a restaurant operated by the couple's adult children. C "It's been wonderful for family togetherness. It's been the first job for all of our immediate family, and now it's a job for our grandchildren. It's kept our family together," Beverley says, noting each of her seven grandchildren has a role to play at the theatre. Until recently, the 500-seat venue had no heating system and patrons could expect to find Beverley in the lobby handing out blankets. Even during the summer months, Clear Lake gets cool at night. Easily one of the most unusual movie theatres in the country, the 3,100 sq. ft. historical building in Riding Mountain National Park is completely made of logs. "This is the largest log theatre in North America. It's a very beautiful building, and we've kept it rustic. It still has the old lamps," Beverley says. "It has beautiful logs and beautiful beams." One aspect of the theatre has had to change with the times, however. The Gowlers are installing a digital theatre and a new sound system. Once the work is complete and the theatre reopens, it will offer two screenings each night during the tourist season in July and August. "Movie companies don't use film anymore. It's a sad time as we say goodbye to it. It's the end of an era," Beverley says. "Once the new system is in, we hope to have the best choice of films available. We show the latest movies, and we try to get them within three weeks of their release date. We're trying to bring in better movies that are geared to a family audience." lear Lake's Park Theatre is truly a family affair. A labour of love for Jim and Beverley Gowler for the past 35 The theatre is so scenic that many couples want to hold their weddings on the site. "We get a lot of weddings here — five couples are getting married this summer. A lot of people plan to get married at the bandstand in the park, and I'm the backup for them if it rains," Beverley says. "We have a lot of people telling us that they sure do love this place." Last year, an offshoot of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival came to Clear Lake for the first time, with a variety of acts entertaining audiences during the August long weekend at the Park Theatre and other venues. "This is a good venue for the Fringe to use to appeal to another crowd, and we were happy that it encouraged more people to come to the park," Beverley says. "It's a beautiful park — it's a jewel in Manitoba. People like to be entertained and this theatre is an entertainment centre." During the fourth weekend in August, the theatre is transformed into a haunted house for the Boo in the Park festival. "We had 300 kids go through it last year. They all dress up in costume and go through our scary house," Beverley says. "We have spooky music, devils that jump out at the kids during a guided tour in the dark, and a wishing well with a witch. It's very local and people have accepted it so well." While most of its patrons are summer residents of Clear Lake, Beverley says the theatre also welcomes its share of guests from out of town. "We do get people from the surrounding area. They will travel up for supper and to have an evening at the show," she says. "This is a beautiful little town site, and we're just a block from the water." www.parktheatre.ca MIDWEST ELKHORN DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAMIOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MINNEDOSA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEEPAWA & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIVERS & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WASAGAMING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEW & NOTEWORTHY >> A grassroots effort is underway to develop a new recreation park in Minnedosa over the next five to seven years. A citizens committee is inviting volunteers to lend skills or join the effort to raise funds for the park, which has yet to be named. Preliminary plans call for a walking trail, bike park, dog park and 18-hole disc golf course. www.facebook.com/MinnedosaCommunityProject >> The Minnedosa Chamber of Commerce initiated a program called Valley Greetings to welcome newcomers to Minnedosa and the RMs of Odanah, Minto and Saskatchewan. Valley Greetings packages consist of a small gift and information on businesses and services in the region. www.minnedosa.com MBiz June 2012 41 MIDWEST