The once-proud home of the hard-hitting Dixie Beehive hockey team was suddenly transformed into a computerized high-tech entertainment complex. The 30,000 square foot venue featured a mezzanine surrounding tiered dance stages leading to a 6,000 square foot dance floor. At the heart of the dance club was a 24,000-watt concert sound system and a three quarter of a million dollar, 250,000-watt lighting system. This system utilized computerized winches, electronic strobes, neon fixtures and a type of lighting that was normally used to mark airport runways.
While opening weekend was a smashing success, by mid-week, North America’s largest non-alcoholic club was silenced by the City Hall officials.
Since more than 30 fire code regulations were breached, Chief Fire Inspector Roy Chalk took action. The fire department appealed to the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office and had the club shut down. However, the club defied the order and opened its doors the following week. After a flurry of meetings to attempt to resolve the matter, the City allowed the club to open only for the filming of a rock video by the band, Platinum Blonde.
The club managed to satisfy the City and was back in operation by mid December. The community suffered through the winter and endured more noise and unruly crowds. By the end of June, police were publicly registering their concerns about the activities at the club. They had reported that, in a 30-day period between March and April, a total of 202 liquor, narcotics, Criminal Code and Highway Traffic Act charges had been laid.
Shortly after the police made their concerns public, the club received a further setback. On the night of June 29th, 1988, the club suffered extensive damage caused by a fire. The police treated the fire as a possible arson and the club remained closed for several weeks. The club was slated to re-open in December, but the City of Mississauga obtained a court injunction forcing the owners to shut its doors. Two weeks later, a second Supreme Court Judge upheld the earlier ruling. It was reported that the club owed the building owners more than $80,000 in back rent.
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