City
Islanders vs. The Docks: Nightclub to go Dry
The Docks nightclub issued a press release on their website today informing patrons that after a lengthy delay the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has decided to revoke their liquor license.
Citing pressure from Toronto Islands residents and the actions of City Councillors McConnell and Fletcher specifically, nightclub lawyer Nicholas Macos of Black Sutherland LLP appealed to patrons to voice their concerns to city officials. He also expressed plans for an appeal to the decision:
"The Docks will be appealing and seeking a stay of the decision of the AGCO to permit it to stay open until the appeal. It will remain open until the Courts make a decision on the appeal. If unsuccessful then over 350 employees will be out of work. We believe that the actions of the City and the AGCO will detrimentally impact the waterfront."
The recent AGCO decision is the newest development in an ongoing saga that comes after years of noise complaints from Ward's Island residents. A little more than just 1000m (of mostly open water) separates the two factions. The Docks entertainment complex has been in operation for 11 years, while the approximately 700 island residents (on Ward's and nearby Algonquin Islands) have been there for much longer.
(image adapted from Google maps)
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haha. silly Docks. Alcohol's for responsible people.
ways, this islanders issue with the docks isn't part of a greater anti-nightlife lobby.
I also don't think that there is a lack of nightlife in this city (both licensed and unlicensed). There are a lot of night spots that have remained safe... either because they've been relegated to club districts or because they've been able to operate in such ways that are non-disruptive to residents (take for example 99, Wallace, Fraser etc).
All of these places have large, friendly crowds and things are kicking until
6am, and because no trouble occurs (especially excessive noise), the
authorities and residents are accepting of them.
The Docks is a horrible venue (inside), so perhaps they could make modifications to improve the venue and curb the patio noise (i.e. open the two up to eachother/merge them with the patio covered atrium-style, so they could use it in the winter also).
It's funny. The islanders CHOOSE to live there tax free(or is it tax reduced, I forget?), and when "a little more than just 1000m (of mostly open water) separates them" from The Docks, they can get it closed down. Yet, little more than 50ft seperates me from the tiny bar across the street that insists on having racous parties with live music and all the windows open until 4am. They have fights outside, and drug dealers working with no regard for who sees them. But I "Choose to live in this neighbourhood" and noise complaints seemingly go inheeded.
I am sick to the city kowtowing to the island residents. Suck it up people.
Regardless of who is to blame, I don't think your analogy (living 50ft from a bar) is all that tight. What you're describing has been common to downtown living since the beginning of time, whereas for the Islanders all was peaceful until the Docks club popped up and changed things for the first time.
Clearly this Docks vs. Islanders issue is a unique problem that will result in unique solutions. It's just a shame that there has to be a big winner and a big loser in this case.
Instead I found that the mostly empty forums had been carpet bombed with graphic insults and harsh profanities by an irate non-islander.
If this thing had been pointed at Leslieville or Riverdale or High Park or Bloor West and was blowing people out of bed 4 nights a week it never would have lasted 11 weeks let alone 11 years, but beacuse it's the "cushy islanders" that's different.
The Docks continues to try to deny access to the public waterfront along polson quay that they don't own. Although I gather they finally took down the fence.
The Docks has been convicted twice of non-noise related license viloations, they saved their license last time by plea bargaining before they got to court. One suspects that the main reason they haven't been charged more often is that the cops don't want the private duty gravy train to dry up.
Of course there's more to this than the Docks itself, remember Sprackman now has a irrevokable 20 year lease on the old Knob Hill property.
I'd be curious to see if the Sprackman name shows up on any municipal election fundraising lists...that would be enlightening
Islanders lived there before airplanes existed. Go ask Ned Hanlan.
D'oh
in tents!
When the grand plan of boulevards and boardwalks and parks comes to the waterfront - what else will be squeezed out I wonder?
Show your support for the Docks by going to their website (www.thedocks.com) and emailing Miller and the AGCO.
- pay outstanding fines of $14,000 today
- no large outdoor events (ie concerts).
- no amplified music, DJ or voice on the patio after 11 p.m.
- windows stay closed
I am also not a fan of TO Island residents, yes they live in idyllic paradise 20 minutes from downtown. They still have their residences thourgh expert politiking in the 1980's when Metro Council wanted to turn the whole Island into a park. The residences scored 99 year leases on the land. So they have a really sweet deal.
I am also not a fan of TO Island residents, yes they live in idyllic paradise 20 minutes from downtown. They still have their residences thourgh expert politiking in the 1980's when Metro Council wanted to turn the whole Island into a park. The residences scored 99 year leases on the land. So they have a really sweet deal.