They will be mandatory for anyone who makes use of several "playrooms" on the second floor of the club, an empty cinema at 10120 156 St., which will include one with an erotic swing and another with a bed so massive it will hold four queen-sized mattresses.
"But people have to realize," says Roy, one of 4-Play's members, "the swing lifestyle isn't all about sex. It's about relationships. I'd say it's 80% social and 20% sexual."
The club's main floor will be a tasteful lounge, complete with a fireplace in one corner and a small, secluded dance floor.
Photo by Anna Faltermeier
That's where members will spend most of their time.
"A lot of people don't (have sex at the club)," says Marie, one of 4-Play's owners. "Some rarely ever do, others only once in a while. This will be a nice, quiet, comfortable place to relax and enjoy some intelligent conversation."
Marie, her husband Joe and several members are hustling to finish work on their new digs, which they plan to open in mid-April.
They had originally hoped to open on Valentine's day, but work was delayed for several weeks when the landlord's development permit was suspended.
Outraged neighbours appealed the permit, fearing parking problems, noise, public drunkenness and alarm over allowing swingers to gather there would undo years of work trying to revitalize one of the roughest areas of the city.
The appeal was rejected on Thursday by City Hall's subdivision and development appeal board, and yesterday club members were back at work.
Edmonton's swing scene is fairly small, numbering in the hundreds, but it attracts a lot of curious people who check out the clubs.
The club, which has about 40 members ranging in age from 22 to 64, is one of three operating in the city, two of which have their own facilities.
Joe said a third, which caters to the city's wealthy socialites, has regular gatherings in various hotels in the area.
Illustrated by Baron C. De Grimm published by Funk and Wagnalls Company 1893 (zorger.com)
There are many more swingers in the area who don't belong to the clubs, he added.
There has been a swing club operating quietly in the area for more than 10 years. It was "outed" when its old landlord sold their building and they had to find a new place.
Everyone in the scene is forced to be secretive about it because too many in the general public consider them sexual deviants.
"Nothing could be further from the truth," says M.J., who's been "in the lifestyle" for three years. "This is all about openness and honesty. Our relationships are very healthy, healthier than a marriage where people are cheating on each other."
M.J., a mother of a young child, is outraged that some people would think that 4-Play poses some kind of threat to kids in the area.
"Our kids don't know what we do," she says. "Why would anyone involve their kids? Believe me, nobody's kids are going to get anywhere near this place."
Joe said he's met swingers in the city who are senior government officials, RCMP officers, doctors and lawyers.
"But it's not for everyone," adds Marie. "If you get jealous, don't come here."
She glances at Joe. "To this day, I just have to look at him and I get goosebumps. We're so in love. But I honestly don't care who he gets physical with, as long as he doesn't fall in love with anyone else."
Besides, she adds, they both can learn things from other sex partners and try them on each other.
All potential members and guests are screened through a phone interview.
"I ask very particular questions and if I get any hint of disrespect, then it's, 'I'm sorry, we're not for you.' "
Adulterers and cheats are not welcome, says Joe.
"Sometimes a guy will call and say he and his wife are interested, but she can't make it so he wants to come on his own and check it out. We just tell him to wait until his wife can join him."
Joe said since he's owned the club, there's only been one unruly guest, and he was told to leave as soon as there was any problem.
By ANDREW HANON
Источник: Edmonton Sun
