Stripping off the table as club eyes reopening
No doffing of duds at Regina 151, but perhaps servers in lingerie?
If Regina 151 reopens, no one will be taking their clothes off — but what about bikini-clad servers?
In order to reopen his strip club at its current location, owner Darrin Oremba would have to abide by local bylaws, obtain a liquor licence and get a building permit, according to documents obtained by the Leader-post.
All of those requirements will leave virtually no wiggle room for stripping.
Regina 151 is a members-only strip club that began operating last April at 110 Dewdney Ave. E. The club attracted attention for appearing to find a loophole in the provincial government’s laws against striptease performances in establishments that serve alcohol. The club is owned by Oremba, a local accountant.
Last October, Regina Mayor Michael Fougere said the city was reviewing operational aspects of the club to determine if it was in compliance with local bylaws. Oremba told the Leader-post he was temporarily putting operations on hold to acquire new permits, but did not clarify what those permits were.
When asked what bylaws the club had to comply with, the city declined to comment. Documents recently obtained in an access to information request now reveal the city sent Oremba a letter on Sept. 21 which said the club was breaking zoning bylaws. The city told the club it had to cease operations and acquire the proper permits, or face further enforcement.
A letter, written by Fred Searle, the city’s manager of current planning, said Regina 151 is located within the Industrial Tuxedo Park Zone, which is not zoned for adult entertainment.
Oremba was originally confident he was operating within the law on provincial and local levels. In an interview with the Leader-post in September, he said he was told by the city his club was not classified as an adult entertainment establishment because it was private.
Searle’s letter stated the opposite. It said the city understood the nature of Oremba’s business to be live adult entertainment, putting it in contravention of the zoning bylaw.
The letter also said the city had no record of a building permit sought for an assembly occupancy on the property. According to the building bylaw, the city requires a building permit application if the occupancy of a building changes.
Since he was ordered to cease operations, Oremba has been communicating with the city and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) to figure out a way to get his club back up and running.
While the club’s property is not zoned for adult entertainment, a licensed club is permitted. Oremba’s club was operating without a liquor permit and offered complimentary alcohol to paid members. That appeared to skirt the province’s law prohibiting nude entertainment in venues that serve alcohol. The SLGA said the club fell outside its jurisdiction since it did not possess a liquor permit.
Getting a liquor licence would mean no more stripping, and Oremba seems willing to relinquish that to reopen his club. In an email to a city official on Oct. 15, 2018, Oremba wrote that he had a meeting with the SLGA about how 151 could open as a licensed club without breaking the liquor regulations.
“They confirmed that it could be a bikini or lingerie or topless with pasties club, as long as there is no stripping at any time,” wrote Oremba.
David Morris, a spokesman for the SLGA, confirmed there is no prohibition against people wearing lingerie and swimwear at a licensed venue.
Even if Oremba is squared away with the province, the city’s definition of adult entertainment may still prevent Regina 151 from reinventing itself as a bikini bar.
The club is in an area not zoned for adult entertainment, which is defined as “live entertainment including striptease and wet clothing contests or similar adult performances.”
In his emails to the city, Oremba sought clarification if his idea for a club with women in bikinis and lingerie would meet the definition of adult entertainment. The documents obtained in the access request do not include the city’s response to this inquiry.
“I know we still have to clear up the permits issues and that is being worked on, but it would sure help to know more of what we would be allowed to do once we get approved to reopen,” wrote Oremba.
Oremba did not respond to a request for comment. The SLGA said it has not issued a permit to 151, but cannot disclose if Oremba has applied for one.
Oremba could move the club to a location that is zoned for adult entertainment. However, that would still require him to submit a discretionary use application, which must get approval from city council.
The last update on Regina 151’s Facebook page was posted on Nov. 26, 2018. The post said the club was “still battling with the city,” but was making progress. The post promised the club would host a “huge reopening party” when it finishes meeting the city’s requirements.