Movies Havasu Probes Mysterious $12k UniSource Bill: Where Are the Funds Going?

Movies Havasu has reported an unprecedented energy bill for August, totaling $12,526.86. This amount marks the theater’s highest bill recorded to date, prompting management to question the financial strain it imposes. Morning Manager Alexia Cortes remarked, “And we wonder where all the money goes.”

The theater has been a fixture in Lake Havasu City since 1994, thriving under various ownership, including the Grant family and current owner Henry Garcia. Cortes noted that the steep price increase in energy costs is not just a concern for the theater but is impacting the entire community.

“It was really out of nowhere. I believe it is affecting everyone in this community,” Cortes stated. She added that her personal energy bill has also seen a noticeable rise. Prior to UniSource’s rate hike, the theater’s monthly bills averaged about $6,800—a stark contrast to the recent surge.

Cortes described the current financial climate as precarious for the theater. She mentioned that Garcia is considering reducing the operation days as a strategy to manage costs. “They said it’s a possibility it might be at risk,” she shared regarding potential operational changes.

The aging infrastructure of the building compounds these issues, with ongoing maintenance costs becoming a significant burden. If energy prices continue to escalate, maintaining the current schedule may become untenable.

“I just think there’s something that needs to be done,” Cortes reflected. The theater operates in a small town, where opportunities for revenue generation are limited. As a result, she expressed a sense of resignation in navigating these financial challenges to ensure the theater’s survival.