City puts freeze on new rave clubs until October

Publication title: Edmonton Journal
Pages: B2 Section: City
Publication date: Aug 24, 2000
ProQuest document ID: 252758951
Copyright: Copyright Southam Publications Inc. Aug 24, 2000
Author: Loyie, Florence


Abstract:

[Green] later told reporters he isn't against raves but doesn't think the downtown core -- which now has five rave clubs -- is the place for them.

Hans von Bloedau, general manager of the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, across the street from the rave club, said he has had guests tell him they would never return because of the noise from all- night raves.

Full text:

The city will stop issuing new licences for rave clubs until a report on proposed restrictions is completed later this fall. The move comes after two downtown business owners appeared before executive committee Wednesday to complain about a club near 101st Avenue and 105th Street.

Brent Green, property manager of a two-storey retail and office building adjacent to the club, said area merchants have to put up with vandalism, graffiti, litter and parking problems because of the all-night raves at the club.

"I feel some kind of strong controls have to be taken to deal with them because the drug dealers are coming back," said Green, who sat on the 105th Street Crime Prevention Committee and the Beaver Hills Park Society -- which worked to rid the downtown park of drug dealers by making landscape changes.

"I think we have to control these things and their hours -- if I had my way I wouldn't even allow them in the downtown area," he said. Green later told reporters he isn't against raves but doesn't think the downtown core -- which now has five rave clubs -- is the place for them.

Hans von Bloedau, general manager of the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, across the street from the rave club, said he has had guests tell him they would never return because of the noise from all- night raves.

"People rent a room for a good night's sleep. When there are kids partying outside all night long, obviously they aren't going to be back again," said von Bloedau, who would also like to see tighter controls.

"I think there has to be some legislation in place to control them, just like licensed establishments."There has to be some controls in place so it isn't a free-for- all," he said.

An ad-hoc committee working on a proposed rave bylaw is expected to make its recommendations Oct. 25.