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Nightclub proposal strikes out with some locals

Developers of former AlpenRock site want increased seat capacity in licensed club Instead of more bowling balls in the deserted AlpenRock House, there are plans before council for more highballs.

Developers of former AlpenRock site want increased seat capacity in licensed club

Instead of more bowling balls in the deserted AlpenRock House, there are plans before council for more highballs.

The development proposal for the huge abandoned bowling alley calls for a transformation from eight bowling lanes to a restaurant, a nightclub, and an eight-screen multiplex movie theatre.

The developer, Larco Investments Ltd., would like approval for an increase in seat capacity for the nightclub, bringing the number from 263 to 375. And at the same time the restaurant capacity is to be reduced from 267 to 100 seats.

But about a dozen locals showed up at a public hearing before Tuesday’s council meeting to speak out against that proposal.

There were bar owners and general managers before councillors, as well as skateboarders and citizens concerned about losing a facility for youths – the bowling alley.

Managers from Garfinkels, Buffalo Bill’s and Tommy Africa’s pleaded their case to council about a bar industry that is already strained.

"Adding" almost 500 seats into the mix will just compound problems in the competitive marketplace, they said.

"What you are talking about will probably decimate the other bars," said the general manager at Tommy Africa’s.

A new high-class nightclub and restaurant with nearly 500 seats doesn’t just effect competitive village bars. The increased capacity will also create noise problems at closing time as well as increase the need for more police in the village when the bars let out, the opponents said.

"While council is very concerned about noise in the village, adding 500 seats will do nothing to decrease the problem," said Dale Schweighardt, general manager of Buffalo Bill’s.

Bill Harrison, general manager at the Whistler Village Inn and Suites, echoed the sentiment about noise.

"We are very concerned from the point of view as accommodation," he said, as the Whistler Village Inn and Suites is next the building.

But proponents say the covered walkway from the entrance will mitigate those concerns.

The nightclub is slated to be a little different than most of the current bars in Whistler. It will cater to the 25 and over crowd.

"I think this is something that we have all waited for for a long time," said Sharon Jensen, a consultant for the project who also read aloud two letters of support for the development.

Jensen also pointed out that the licensed seats already exist, they just weren’t used last winter after AlpenRock went out of business.

The proposed tenant of the restaurant and nightclub is Jack Evrensel, who owns Araxi’s in Whistler as well as three other restaurants in Vancouver.

Evrensel is recognized in the community for his fine-dining restaurants and entertainment establishments.

"My understanding is that it is not just another nightclub," said John Hewsen, chair of the Whistler Community Arts Council.

Hewson went on to compliment other parts of the proposed development, specifically the movie theatre.

His views, he said, were not necessarily the views of the arts council but nonetheless, the multiplex movie theatre would contribute to the arts in Whistler.

The multiplex would allow for a wider selection of films to be shown at a variety of times. It would provide a venue for film festivals, and it would allow a Whistler Film Club to get underway. In addition, the theatre would provide a venue for local filmmakers to showcase their work.

In its hey-day the AlpenRock House was a large-scale indoor venue offering bowling, video games, billiards and a restaurant and nightclub.

It went out of business in 2001 after running into operational difficulties.

Stephen Milstein who spoke out at the meeting would like to see the AlpenRock or a venue like it which could serve the youths of the community, in place at that site.

"It does not make sense to close this," he said.

"The economic sense and social values... should be carefully considered before the bowling is permitted to be removed."

Milstein sited several reasons for keeping the bowling area intact.

He pointed to the fact that the capital costs of the facility are already paid for. In addition, 90 million Americans, many of whom come to Whistler, bowl in their spare time.

And, thinking a little closer to home, he said Whistler kids need a place for alternative activities that will keep them off the streets and out of trouble.

A young skateboarder took the microphone at the meeting and echoed Milstein’s concern about the need for a place where youth can go.

Along with bowling, he suggested an indoor skateboarding venue. He dreamed of a mini-ramp with an all-ages lounge catering to the 14 to 19 year olds that would provide a safe environment for kids.

"It would be very beneficial to the subculture that does exist which you guys may or may not recognize," he said.

The public hearing lasted for roughly one hour. As is council’s custom when there is opposition expressed at a public hearing, third reading for the proposed rezoning was not considered Tuesday. Third reading will likely be considered at the next Whistler council meeting, July 15.