Concerns about exotic nightclub are stripped bare

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This article was published 20/05/2010 (5845 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Fort Richmond woman says she has serious concerns about a newly opened strip club on Pembina Highway.

Lipstixx exotic nightclub opened this past weekend inside the Montcalm Hotel at 2280 Pembina Hwy. The spot was previously the home of Monty’s Bar One.

Anita Van Kats said she is concerned about the potential impact the new club will have on the local neighbourhood.

“The biggest issue for me is its proximity. For one, there’s a school — Arthur A. Leach — just down the street. And Victoria Hospital is just as close,” she said.

“Many local residents have shared these concerns for years. A big one is unruly patrons outside the bar urinating on the street. This is a serious issue, as there’s lots of kids living in this area.”

Van Kats — who describes herself as a “part-time student, part-time retail employee and stay-at-home mom” — felt so strongly about the debut of Lipstixx, that she joined forced with Waverley Heights resident Sarah Rosnes and started on online petition opposing the club’s location.

Van Kats said area residents are not opposed to the hotel offering exotic entertainment. In fact, she said there were few complaints when dancers performed afternoons at the club in the past.

Van Kats said her main concern is that the new club will attract clientele through­out the day and evening which will lead to increased problems.

Brothers Sabino and Rob Tummillo are managing Lipstixx. Sabino is a former owner of The Empire nightclub on Main Street. A request for an interview was not returned.

Van Kats acknowledged that the brothers are not breaking any bylaws.

“Technically, they are within the guidelines of their licence,” she said.

Van Kats said she is angry that there was no consultation with the community about the new club.

“What we really want is a public hearing to air our concerns. If there’s a way we can work this out and reach a compromise, then we’re open to it,” Van Kats said.

Winston Yee, director of licensing and inspections with the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission, said the situation is being monitored after complaints about Lipstixx were registered.

“This situation is about finding a balance between the licensee and local residents. If there was a hearing, we’d look at the information provided to us, but it would need foundation. And that’s a bit premature at this stage,” Yee said.

Van Kats said this is not the first time she’s dealt with these kinds of concerns.

“When I was a teenager at Sisler High School, there were a couple of boys who would sneak away to watch exotic dancers. Now, it could easily be boys from Fort Richmond Collegiate who are tempted to do the same,” she said.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com