Statement from Anthony Sa, Owner Club Seventy-Seven, Dirty Dog Saloon and The Underground

HAMILTON, ON, Sept. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - The entire team at Club Seventy-Seven, Dirty Dog Saloon and The Underground is proud to be a part of the Hamilton community.  In the nine years we have owned the business we have contributed to Hamilton's economic and cultural development, have employed 100's of people and have seen 1.2 million people come through our doors to enjoy great entertainment from local bands and DJs.

We have always operated in accordance with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws and are very proud of our relationship with the City's By-Law department, the Hamilton Police Service (HPS), the Hamilton Fire Service and the Hamilton Paramedic Service.  We actively participate in inspections and are pleased to have passed them all.

In May 2016, we lost a member of our team to a random act of violence outside the Club after we were closed for the night. Our team is still recovering from this senseless act. Prior to this incident and since, there have been no serious acts of violence at the Club. Through the course of the investigation into this tragedy, we worked very closely with the police and were commended for our cooperation in volunteering our time and resources without hesitation.  HPS also went on to say that they believed we acted responsibly on the night of the incident and that there was nothing that we could have done to predict or prevent this tragic outcome.

Recently some local neighbourhood residents, especially those who live in the condominium building across the street from the Club, have made complaints. We know it is not really about us and that underlying those complaints is the fact that these condo owners were told the Club would be redeveloped by the City into parkland. We do not know who made those promises, it was not us, as the Club was in operation long before the condominiums were developed.

Despite reports to the contrary, the City of Hamilton has never made an offer to buy our business. It is becoming clear however, that it is the City's intention to purchase or expropriate the business for future parkland development. 

We are first and foremost members of the Hamilton community and would like a resolution that satisfies all parties.  With that in mind, we have approached the City to advise them that we are willing to enter discussions for the sale of the business.

It is our hope that we will be able to quickly find a resolution to this issue and alleviate the tensions in the local community.

SOURCE Anthony Sa

Paul McDonald, General Manager, Club Seventy-Seven, Dirty Dog Saloon and The Underground, 905-527-7488