Thoughts and Opinions On Today's Important Issues

Friday, February 13, 2009

Windsor's Swinging Downtown



I don't think it has to do with golf or baseball or old Dodge Darts. Or even theatre.

If the City wins the lawsuit with the Capitol's Trustee in Bankruptcy, I think they have a new use for the space. One that will be very profitable too and will allow us to catch rats.

Eddie gave it away when he said:

  • "Because of a prolonged legal battle for ownership of the Capitol Theatre, Mayor Eddie Francis said Friday he can no longer guarantee the 89-year-old playhouse will be used as a theatre in the future.

    "It is a cultural gem we would like to preserve in some way," Francis said. "But we've lost a lot of time, so how and what type of gem it will be is still unknown.

    "It's not certain it will be maintained as a theatre. There's too much uncertainty."

I finally understand it! I should have known. There IS a secret plan for the Capitol Theatre after all. There is no doubt that we had the PLAN first and Edmonton is trying to steal the concept from us.

After all, we are Sin City!

  • Proposed swingers' club gets no love in Edmonton

    EDMONTON - It may be the only recession-proof business left, but residents of a west end Edmonton neighbourhood are up in arms at a plan to open a swingers' club in an old theatre space.

    The 4play club, described on its website as a "dance and social club for sexually open-minded couples and single women," had hoped to open this weekend in the former Jasper Cinema.

    But that plan is on hold after an appeal against the development permit was filed this week.
    While that hearing is restricted to parking concerns, the president of the Canora Community League says the proposal is wrong for a district trying to appeal to families.

    "It boggles my mind. I can't even understand the concept of why they would want to put something in our community like that," Eleanor Burke said Wednesday.

    "Do it downtown or somewhere, but not in a community where there are kids. I don't think it's morally right for the kids to see this."

    About 40 people from nearby neighbourhoods who attended a meeting Monday opposed the project, and Burke said she'd rather see something for young people such as a bowling alley or even a pool hall go into the space.

    "There's going to be rooms where they can swap their partners. I thought that only happened on CSI. I was amazed."

    Diane Kereluk, executive director of the Stony Plain Road business association, said the 4play club could lower the public perception of the district as it works on a major makeover.

    Last month, city councillors approved the Jasper Place revitalization strategy, which includes a call for bylaw restrictions to stop the creation or expansion of adult-oriented businesses.

    "The surrounding communities are not happy, and I really support their feelings on this. They're working hard to help this area to turn around its image to a place where families go," Kereluk said.

    The president of the 4play club insists opponents have nothing to fear, saying there's no tolerance for drugs, no trouble and no prostitution, because the sex is free.

    Most people who hit it off arrange to have sex somewhere else, although there is a swinger "play area" separate from the main lounge, he said.

    "We have a lounge, you come in, socialize, meet who you want to, we talk about everything," said Joe, who didn't want his last name publicized.

    "It's just your regular social club - like going in the legion."

Just like the legion eh. I can hardly wait to see what the WSO proposes for the Armouries!