Home burglary spawns a hip new club for teens
LEHI — Utah County teens itching to bust a move on the dance floor can get jiggy with it in Lehi starting this fall.
On its face, the notion of high schoolers gathering to dance in still-quasi-rural Lehi, in the absence of school and religious authorities, sounds like the plot of the 1980s flick "Footloose."
But Hollywood didn't inspire an Eagle Mountain couple to create the new dance hall, Club Crush. A home burglary did.
Funds to launch the new club are coming straight from insurance money Shawn and Paige Robison received after teens busted into their Eagle Mountain home, cleaned them out and stole their van while the family was gone on winter vacation.
The Robisons sat down with their six children, ages 4 to 16, and essentially posed one question: Should we blow the money on replacing our Xbox, videos "and all that material crap," or should we use it to open a hip new club?
It was unanimous.
The Robisons went to work and recently found a home for their hip-hop business in Lehi, where it's received the city's blessing — finally.
It took the Robisons two months and a half-dozen meetings with city officials to get a green light on hosting hundreds of youths in the notoriously rambunctious age group on weekends.
"Our biggest concern, frankly, is kids causing havoc in the area," said Christine Hutchings, Lehi planner. "Security was key in our decision."
Hutchings said strict guidelines imposed by the city Planning Commission were "totally within their bounds, because it assures the entity is not a negative impact on the community or its adjacent businesses."
Lehi Police Lt. Darren Paul said he's satisfied with security agreements with the Robisons and says he doesn't believe the club will be a problem.
In the Robisons' third round with the Planning Commission, the board approved the club's conditional-use permit because the couple had met with police and fire officials over issues of criminal loitering and fire safety.
So while several 36-inch, full-range speakers blast up-tempo Billboard hits across the spacious 5,400-square-foot dance floor, a series of security cameras will roll. And while colorful lights spill down 20-foot-high walls in the industrial-type warehouse, a team of bouncers will rove.
Providing a good time is the top priority for Shawn Robison, an active-duty soldier for the Army National Guard. But make no mistake: He runs a tight ship. He's not afraid of booting drug-popping teens, including those who show up beer-buzzed.
Recent comments
I am so happy to see this club opening. Its about time we got another...
mother of teens | June 24, 2009 at 8:14 p.m.
Paige & Shawn have a fantastic idea, they arent asking for donations...
Mother of 2 teen girls | June 24, 2009 at 7:43 p.m.
just be positive then all the bad monsters will go away. What a load!
frank | June 24, 2009 at 8:31 a.m.
- Get a little culture: Probiotics 5:45 p.m.
- What exactly are probiotics? 5:45 p.m.
- Emeril's success? 'Great people' 5:45 p.m.
- Limeade Pie is a quick, easy dessert 5:42 p.m.
- Gluten-free desserts not great 5:42 p.m.
- Edamame Soup is tasty, healthful 5:42 p.m.
- Lo mein gets healthful makeover 5:42 p.m.
- Bookmarks 5:42 p.m.
- Rethinking PB&J as a kids' truffle 5:42 p.m.
- What's cooking 5:42 p.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Utes get extra motivation
- Senators want food tax restored
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- BYU soccer incident still popular
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman
- U. hopes to keep clicking
- House passes health care bill
259 - TCU showdown has big implications
187 - Lobo suspended
184 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
143 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
104 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
93
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants nationwide will honor...
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Go Rich!!!!!! Kick some Eagle butt.
How can anyone with brain cell claim bush never did anything right? that...
They are done and have been since Karl, John and Hornacek retired. What a...
Interesting article. Most Americans don't think of 1930's with the reference...
You Timp Chickens dont know how to play REAL football MC 45-0 over timp
Go Eagles!!!! I have faith in ya.
Go CAVEPEOPLE! However, are there any other high school band programs in...
The laws are so complex that what has been done will give false hope to many...
Pitta and George have been awesome and both are deserving of atention and...
So what are you doing PERSONALLY and INDIVIDUALLY to help others? [tht is...



