Updating what’s next for Club Q in Colorado Springs after mass shooter pleads guilty Monday
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Now that Anderson Aldrich has pleaded guilty and been convicted in the November 2022 mass shooting at the popular LGBTQIA+ nightclub on Academy Boulevard, many people are wondering if and when the club will reopen and what changes will be made to prevent a similar tragedy.
In February, Club Q owners and management announced plans to start rebuilding in late April and reopen sometime this fall; the plans include what's described as "enhanced security measures, new screening technology and a hardened space."
However, construction hasn't begun yet because club leadership hasn't acquired design approval from the city planning office but still expects a fall reopening.
"It's been a lot more challenging than we thought because of all the codes we have to follow," said Michael Anderson, the club's vice president of operations. "Restrooms are a big challenge because city code doesn't allow a business like this to have unisex bathrooms. Another challenge is a sprinkler system. All of that could add to the cost of the project. But we're committed to doing it because except for a gay bar downtown, we're the only gay club venue in town."
He said that the club is working with local, state and federal agencies on the new security measures and hope they can become a model for similar establishments across the country.
The club hired HB&A, a Colorado Springs architectural and planning firm, to oversee the rebuilding; the club also has created an advisory and development team that includes at least two of the shooting victims.
The rebuilding cost has yet to be announced but is being financed by Matthew Haynes, the club's founder and owner.
Meanwhile, Club Q revealed plans in April for a permanent on-site memorial to the five people killed and 17 injured by gunfire; it will include a security wall and is scheduled for completion around the same time that the club itself reopens.
As of Monday, 452 people have donated nearly $67,000 toward the $300,000 cost of the memorial.
While the Club Q community hopes that Aldrich's guilty plea will provide closure and bring them together, there remains some lingering resentment of club leadership by several surviving victims and family members -- primarily because of how the club has distributed thousands of dollars in donations meant for victims' families.
Some of that sentiment was expressed during interviews after Aldrich's court appearance.
"Club Q at the moment is making profit off of the backs of our dead friends who were murdered that night — raising money everywhere, stealing money from victims and the GoFundMe that was raised for victims," said shooting survivor Del Lusional.
Anderson said that he understands the frustration.
"I think a lot of it is fueled by out-of-town people," he said. "They push the rhetoric that we care more about rebuilding and creating a memorial than seeing to the victims' needs. That is simply not true. I'm proud of what we've done. We have distributed $3 million so far and there's another $800,000 coming."
Anderson added that the memorial is the top priority because he wants everyone to remember the shooting, the victims and the impact to the community.
"It's ironic that we opened in a secluded, out-of-the-way place because back then, people were hiding their gender identities and many people hadn't come out of the closet yet," Haynes said in a post-hearing press conference. "But we're not hiding any more. We're not ashamed. We're not running away. We're here to stay and stand up to hate."
To read more details of Monday's developments, visit:https://krdo.com/news/2023/06/26/club-q-mass-shooter-accepts-plea-deal-receives-5-life-sentences-without-parole-plus-2208-years/.
