by Janet Smellie
Northern News Services

NNSL (DEC 13/96) - Teenagers like 13-year-old Brendan say opening a new teen club in Yellowknife couldn't come at a better time.

The teenager, who didn't want his last name used because he was at the local pinball arcade without permission, says he's even hoping to get a part-time job at the new club.

"There's nothing kids can do in Yellowknife but get in trouble as it is. This will hopefully keep us off the streets."

The new club, to be called Gremlin's, will be opening on Dec. 19 at the old site of the Bear Den, a strip club that closed last week.

Owned by Otto Chankasingh, who also owns the upstairs adult dance club Checkers, says a lot of research has gone into Gremlin's to ensure it doesn't bomb out like the last teen club in Yellowknife.

"We've hired a great manager, Steve Park, who's got 15 years in the entertainment field. We're going to have the proper supervision."

Open from Thursday to Sunday, Gremlin's will offer live bands, deejays and pool tournaments, as well as high- tech computer games, including Virtual Reality.

Charging a cover fee, as well as renting out the facility for birthday bashes on Sundays will help owners break even, Chankasingh says, adding that hiring local teenagers is definitely a plan.

Chankasingh, who admits his concern for his own three children was been a motivating factor in opening Gremlin's, hopes other parents will get involved.

"We're not out to make a lot of money off this, but more provide a community service that is desperately lacking for these kids. All you have to do is drive around late at night to see them out there with nothing to do."

As for the concern over the alleged drug deals that take place outside of Checkers, Chankasingh says enforcing a zero-tolerance policy should keep the dealers away.

"It is a concern, and we will have problems, but we plan to have the RCMP involved in a big way. If we have kids coming in intoxicated we will try to notify their parents," he says, adding the club will also sport a no-smoking policy.

"How many times have we read about kids who have no where to go, and are always getting into trouble? I think this will be great for kids and great for our community."