Valle Drive-In expects to open in early May, even after damages to screen

Severe weather storms do not like the Newton drive-in movie theater.

Jeff Namminga, co-owner of the Valle Drive-In, confirmed with Newton Daily News the screen repaired just last year was damaged by heavy winds in a late March storm. The contractor who did the repair work last year, Namminga said, will be trying to fix the screen in the next few weeks.

Hopefully, the movie theater will open by early May.

For the past few years, the movie theater has taken a beating. When the derecho swept through Central Iowa in 2010, the Valle Drive-In sustained heavy property damage, like so many other residences and businesses across Jasper County. Tornadoes in March 2022 caused even more damages.

At the time, the initial estimates for the repairs were between $25,000 and $50,000. “In the history of the Valle,” Namminga said, “we’ve never had damage this extensive from a storm, even during the derecho.” Until the screen, marquee, roof and fencing could be fixed, the theater delayed its first opening weekend.

When the theater reopened in August 2022, it was met with a full house of customers who watched a blockbuster showing of “Top Gun: Maverick” and, humorously, “Twister.” Moviegoers also got to see the new marquee, which still retains an old-school flair to make it a true Newton landmark.

Valle Drive-In is one of four drive-in theaters left in the state.