A building that has spent the last 60 years as a gathering place for 91原创鈥檚 military veterans is being given new life as dance club for teens.

Beginning this Friday, March 4, Vancouver鈥檚 Ultimate Dance Club will open its doors in the building on Eastleigh Crescent, to cater exclusively to 14 to 18 year olds, says its creator, James Thom.

Working with partner, Shannon Bardock, the Port Coquitlam man decided to create a club similar to one he attended in the 1970s in Burnaby.

鈥淲e used to go (dancing), it was a lot of fun,鈥� he said.

While anyone 19 or over can go out and dance and hang out with friends in a nightclub atmosphere, there鈥檚 nothing for younger teens to do except go to a movie, the mall or a house party, Thom said.

It was a deficiency the two were anxious to address, but weren鈥檛 sure where, precisely, they would do it.

So they set out in search of the ideal space 鈥� which they found in downtown 91原创.

The infrastructure of the old Legion building 鈥� which was vacated by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #21 last summer 鈥� was ideal, he said.

It already featured a number of different rooms on two storeys with beautiful wood floors and a fireplace.

With renovations that include bench seating, two concessions, art-deco work, concert lighting and floor-side tables, 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a well-dressed place for 14 to 18-year-olds,鈥� Thom said.

The dance club, which will have its grand opening on March 19, will also feature a 360-degree DJ booth between two dance floors, free wireless, a large plasma TV, arcade games and more.

Thom expects to draw patrons from all over the Greater Vancouver area (research he鈥檚 done indicates there are about 160,000 teens in his target demographic) and believes the club鈥檚 downtown 91原创 location, just a few blocks from the City鈥檚 main bus loop, is ideal for bringing in patrons who are too young to drive.

They are also too young to drink legally, and Thom said security will be keeping a close eye out to make sure no alcohol or drugs are brought onto the premises.

鈥淲e鈥檒l have licensed and bonded security, inside and out,鈥� he said.

Meanwhile, in-house staff will be keeping a sharp eye out, as well.

鈥淭his is not a place where you can sneak in alcohol or drugs. No inebriated patrons will be admitted,鈥� he said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a big concern,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ecause once they鈥檙e inside, they鈥檙e your responsibility.鈥�

However, Thom believes the vast majority of teens will want to dance and hang out in a fun, relaxed and sober environment.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a place to meet new people, meet friends and dance in a great social environment,鈥� said Thom.

Thom has met with police and he said they agree with him, that there are only 鈥渁 handful of bad apples,鈥� he needs to be concerned about.

Cpl. Holly Marks of the 91原创 RCMP, said police have met with Thom and feel the business has good protocols and procedures in place.

However, she added, it鈥檚 difficult to predict what issues, if any, police will have with the club.

鈥淲e could see more problems developing outside (the building)鈥� she said.

Because the club won鈥檛 be serving alcohol, she doesn鈥檛 anticipate the same type of disruptions occurring in the early hours of the morning as do at licensed establishments. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 a learning experience for everyone. After the first couple of dances, we鈥檒l learn what problems, if any, there will be.鈥�

Vancouver鈥檚 Ultimate Dance Club, 20702 Eastleigh Cres., will be open 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. every Friday, Saturday and holiday. 

Cost of admission is $11.50. No one under 14 years or over 18 years old will be admitted.

Email danceclub@classicmedia.ca.