Though currently not much more than a dirt floor and exposed beams in the basement of 266 Baker Street, the proposed Goldfields Social Club has already been the subject of plenty of watercooler chatter.
A private men’s club, the vision for the Goldfields Social Club is a vibrant 2,200 square foot space where members gather to socialize and conduct business.
“Oh boy, do I know it’s controversial,” says Greg Haydu, one of the building’s owners and one of the social club’s board members.
“I can’t tell you how many times I have been sitting around a campfire this summer and have somebody launch into me. I don’t mind having that conversation.”
If it comes to fruition, the club would be one of the major tenants in the revitalized building. It would include an open lounge, seating area, bar, sauna, steam room, showers and lockers. There would be a big screen television, fireplace, comfy sofas and a poker table.
Members would be able to store their own liquor in their personalized lockers and have 24/7 access to the facility.
It would cost $3,000 to join and monthly dues would be charged.
“In keeping with what we are doing with the rest of the building, having the Goldfields Social Club in the basement would keep with this heritage character. It’s something different,” says Haydu.
“You get the wink, wink, nudge, nudge. But this is really just a place for people to hang out.”
Of those permitted to join, women would not be on the list.
“This is a men’s social club, similar to Curves for Women. I can’t go in and join a Curves fitness facility,” says Haydu.
“There is no underbelly to this. It’s just a place for men to come for fellowship and to hang out. I have no doubt there will be an element of business networking that would go on.”
So far the social club has held two information meetings which Haydu says were attended by about 60 men. Though work has not started on finishing the space, Haydu is confident it will become a reality.
“We’ve invested time, energy and money into this,” he says. “We didn’t do that because we think it’s going to fail.”
For more information on the Goldfields Social Club contact Haydu at 250-777-2548.
