Fredericton mayor defends spending $150K on strip club buyout

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside denies allegations the city is legislating morality with taxpayers' money.

He made the comments on Wednesday in response to recent criticisms over council's decision to spend $150,000 on a five-month lease for a downtown bar to ensure its zoning as a possible strip club expires.

The former iRock property on King Street is the only one in Fredericton that still has an exotic dancing licence.

I want to make this abundantly clear, that there was never any talk or discussion about morality. There was never any talk or any discussion about religion.- Brad Woodside, Fredericton mayor

"The fact of the matter is, with respect to this kind of licence, it only creates one problem for us — and that is organized crime," said Woodside.

"That is a criminal element that could utilize this piece of property with this licence. That would be counterproductive to everything that we're trying to do in the City of Fredericton."

Earlier this week, the city issued a statement about the move, which set off a firestorm on social media, with citizens calling it a waste of money and legislating morality.

"Council feels it is critical to take this action to protect against the negative impacts and behaviours that are associated with establishments that offer exotic dancing entertainment," the city's statement said.

The move would also protect the long-term quality of life and property values in the downtown area, and minimize long-term "policing/social costs that can be associated with establishments of this kind," it said.

On Wednesday, however, Woodside seemed to suggest otherwise.

"This is not council-driven. This is not the mayor and council coming with an issue that is being dealt with. This is a matter that has been put forth by our professional staff, our senior management people, our police department, our legal department," he said.

"I want to make this abundantly clear, that there was never any talk or discussion about morality. There was never any talk or any discussion about religion."

Woodside says city staff are now reviewing how the leased space can be put to use over the next five months.