New teen scene makes splash before closure

MEADOW LAKES -- Teens looking for a place in Mat-Su to spend Friday and Saturday nights will have to wait a little bit longer. A new teen dance club, Club X-Static, offered just what many teens were looking for, but just three weeks after opening at Mile 51 Parks Highway, the club was shut down by the state fire marshal's office.

Deputy Fire Marshal Carol Olson said Thursday the owner of the club failed to submit required paperwork to their office before opening, and, upon learning of the establishment, her office conducted an inspection and found several areas that needed to be changed before the business could continue.

Olson said procedurally, when construction, repair or remodeling is done, business owners are required to submit a plan review to the state fire marshal's office. Then, she said, after the fire marshal's requirements have been met, the business is given approval to open. Club X-Static's owner, Jim Wirsbinske, simply neglected to submit a plan review, Olson said.

Of the problems noted at the club the biggest concern, Olson said, was the need for a sprinkler system, due to the club's large capacity level.

"The requirement is any time there is over 300 occupants in a building, they need a sprinkler system," Olson said.

Exit issues are also on people's minds right now, Olson said, citing recent events in the Lower 48 such as the Great White concert tragedy in Rhode Island.

"People being able to get out is a number-one concern," Olson said.

Olson said she is working with Wirsbinske on several issues that include number of exits, the sprinkler system and the flammability of the club's furnishings.

The club consists of 8,600 square feet, Wirsbinske said, and once he meets the code requirements the allowed capacity will exceed 500.

"We're working with them to resolve their issues," Olson said, noting the closure came at a bad time for the club owner, who had been advertising a Mardi Gras party that had to be canceled when her office closed it down.

Wirsbinske said he couldn't be certain when the sprinkler system -- the main concern of the fire marshal -- would be complete so he can reopen, but it is in progress.

Given the choice of either making the club smaller or installing the sprinkler system to fall under the requirements, Wirsbinske said making it smaller was not an option.

"It's just one more hurdle," said Wirsbinske, who says he started the club after many years of thought.

"Kids need some place to go and they have absolutely nothing to do [in the Valley]," he said. During the few weeks they were open, he said, they had no problems at the teen club and received good reviews from Alaska State Troopers who did walk-throughs during the night.

Identification is required at the club which is open for teens ages 15 to 20. Each teen is patted down by club staff upon entering and several security staff roam throughout the club and in the parking lot. A metal detector is also in the works, Wirsbinske said, and they have a zero tolerance for alcohol or drug use.

"There is no in and out," Wirsbinske said. "They pay to get in and if they go out, they don't get back in unless they pay again." For teens -- usually on a limited budget -- the policy greatly reduces the risk of teens engaging in alcohol or drugs then reentering, he said.

Several rules are posted at the entrance to the club, including "no gang clothing," and "no revealing clothing." The club motto, Wirsbinske said, is "dress to impress." And he invites parents to come in to the club, take a look around and check it out.

Trooper Capt. Dennis Casanovas said his staff had no reports of any increase in criminal activity in the area of the club while it was open.

Many teens attending Club X-Static's opening night said they felt the Valley club was better than Anchorage's Club Millennium, a popular teen destination located on Fourth Avenue. A rumor at the time of Club X-Static's sudden closure was that Club Millennium was also closed, however, management at the Anchorage club said that wasn't true. Greg MacDonald, inspector for the Anchorage Fire Department, said he has had no difficulties with Club Millennium management and there have been no violations, although his department, too, is keeping a close eye on all nightclub and dance establishments in the Anchorage area.

Wirsbinske said there are still areas of improvement and expansion scheduled in the months to come, including the addition of a billiard/game room, bringing in live bands and hosting activities for younger teens. But first things first.

"When, I'm not sure yet," Wirsbinske said. "As soon as we can get [the sprinkler system] done we'll be back open."

Olson said her department is working with the club owner to get the club back on track.

"Hopefully they'll be able to resolve these issues and they'll be able to open it back up soon," Olson said.

Club X-Static, once operational, may have some competition in the near future, though. Olson said the state fire marshal's office has received a proposal for another teen club in the Wasilla area, but she could not disclose the name of the applicant or any other information at this time. Neither Wasilla's planning office nor Mat-Su Borough's business license have received applications for a teen club at this time.