Licensed strip club poised to launch in Regina, if zoning gets OK
An application has been formally filed by the owners of a building in Regina to open a new strip club.
The location is the former home of The Whiskey Saloon on Park Street. If all goes according to plan, it may be the first such venue to open since new laws about mixing alcohol and adult entertainment took effect at the beginning of 2014.
Before the change, no premises could feature strip shows and serve liquor.
"Now that it's legal here, it's surprising it took this long," John Hopkins, CEO of the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce, told CBC News Thursday. Hopkins said the owners are filling a niche.
"Given the fact that this is legal in Saskatchewan now, and that it's legal elsewhere in Canada, that takes it from the perspective that it's legal — hey, that's where it needs to be," he said.
The new rules do have some limits, including that the venue must be located in a predominantly industrial area and be at least 182 metres from schools or parks. As well, full frontal nudity of performers is still not allowed.
The owners' application is being reviewed by the city and the manager of current planning said the process will last into the new year.
"We're talking about something that is pretty much in a commercial area, in a warehousing type area," Hopkins observed. "I think most people would say if you're going to have something like that, that's probably a good place for it."
With files from CBC's Adrian Cheung