A Saskatoon restaurant and concert venue has enlisted the help of its customers to create a safer, more inclusive space.
More than 200 patrons of Amigos Cantina filled out a survey on how to improve the experience at the venue.
“People are very invested in this and they’re very excited to see things change,” said Jim Clarke, one of the owners of Amigos.
Clarke said the survey looked at people’s experience coming to Amigos.
“Have they felt safe there? Had they run into trouble? What were some of the obstacles to coming? Would they maybe come more if things were different or better and just a lot of questions around safety?”
Clarke said the survey has already led to changes, including putting in a tamper-proof self-serve water station, starting shows earlier, providing free ear plugs and having non-gendered bathrooms.
8:45Amigos makes changes to create a sense of safety for its patrons
A local restaurant is changing the way it operates after feedback from the community. More than 200 people filled out a survey with suggestions on how Amigo’s can become a safer space. Host Leisha Grebinski speaks with Amigos owner Jim Clarke. 8:45
Staff will also walk patrons to their vehicles after shows if requested, and a local production company with a diverse staff roster and opportunities for training for sound technicians has been hired.
Clarke said community members are stakeholders in the venue and their opinions will help guide future decisions.
“We certainly don’t profess to know all the answers,” Clarke said. “So we want the people that are affected by Amigos or want to make it better to have a voice.”
Julie Maier, a bass player with local band The Garrys and a frequent patron of Amigos, said the changes are welcome.
Maier also wants the venue to take a look at who is not coming to its events.
“[There are] all different types of people who live here and we don’t always necessarily see them at the shows,” Maier said. “You don’t always see them on stage, we don’t always see them behind the mixing board.”
Clarke said more changes are on the way, including developing an official safe spaces policy, training staff to use naloxone kits and having sharps containers installed in bathrooms.
He said Amigos is also putting together a non-alcoholic menu and a system for patrons to report unsafe situations to staff.
“Now we have an idea of what we’re doing and what the public is hoping and looking for,” Clarke said.
Maier said she is interested to see how the changesl affect the vibe of the shows at Amigos.
“It was already, I think, a really great space, but I think it’s going to get even better,” Maier said.
