EDMONTON- Residents in a north Edmonton neighbourhood are speaking out, after learning a body rub parlour may be going up just steps away from a local youth centre.
“We’ve been working for 20 years to mentor children- youth ages six to 17- out of high-risk lifestyles,” said Miri Peterson, executive director of Crystal Kids Youth Centre. “And it’s very concerning to us that having a body rub parlour next to Crystal Kids, within 10 metres of our door, poses a great threat to the work that we are doing.”
On January 31st, an application for a “personal service” business was submitted for a site located at 87th Street and 118th Avenue, just two doors down from the youth centre.
According to the city, a personal service business license is very broad and could include any business from a body rub parlour to a nail salon, for example. But, because of the types of businesses the applicant currently runs in the city, residents in the area say they’re certain this particular application is for a body rob parlour, and they’re not happy about it.
An online petition has already received over 8,700 signatures, from residents concerned about the impact a business like this would have on the community.
“The potential clients of an establishment such as this would pose an exponentially greater threat to our youth,” Peterson said.
“We have to advocate for the children,” said Wayne Thomas, pastor of the Avenue Vineyard Community Church, which works closely with the children from Crystal Kids. “Anything that we can do to defend those that need a little bit of help or look out for those that need help, we’re going to do that.”
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The city has already denied the application, due to issues surrounding city parking requirements and loading zone concerns.
“Everyone, though, has the opportunity to go to the SDAB (Subdivision Development Appeal Board) and appeal a decision by the city, and that’s what’s going ahead now,” explained Ward 7 councillor Tony Caterina.
Concerned residents would like to see SDAB deny the permit for this particular site and say they will be present at the meeting on April 4.
“We don’t want an establishment like this next to Crystal Kids,” said Peterson.
Body rub parlours are not illegal. There are currently 42 of them being run in Edmonton.
With files from Shannon Greer.
Follow @CaleyRamsay
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