The Albert has been written into Canadian rock and roll history by Dave Bidini, the Rheostatics guitarist and author of A Cold Road, whose description of the Albert’s seediness and depravity places it in the questionable company of New York City’s legendary CBGB nightclub. Bands like Green Day, Sloan, Nickleback, Hüsker Dü, UK Subs and Foo Fighter Dave Ghrol have rocked the joint. Built in 1913 at the height of Winnipeg’s status as the “Chicago of the North,” the Albert has watched downtown Winnipeg’s long, slow decay until this latest determined resurgence and renewal has thrown the harsh light of progress into its dingy bar.

So, to hear that the Albert had been sold to a hair salon and spa entrepreneur whose stated plans included turning the seedy flop house into an upscale boutique hotel or condos sent shivers through Winnipeg’s rock ’n’ roll heart. “The Collective,” an alternative club in the heart of Osborne Village, had closed earlier this year and now the Albert was under threat.

Many proclaimed that this was another example of the gentrification of the Exchange District, where starving artists were priced out of their simple studios as hip offices and upscale condos moved in. Others said anyone willing to invest in the area should be commended, not criticized.

Repeated requests for an interview with new owner Daren Jorgenson went unanswered so I turned to the internet and hunted Facebook, mySpace and other dark corners looking for quotes from the elusive owner. Jorgenson, who made his money selling pharmaceuticals on line, seems to be backing away from his initial statements and is now talking about keeping the music club. “If somehow it was restored a bit and made nicer, but still had that edginess to it, I think there’s a whole generation of people that would love to go back and enjoy what they enjoyed 20 years ago,” stated Jorgenson to the CBC recently. Does he really think that putrid bathrooms are keeping today’s 30 and 40 year-olds out of the bar? I respectfully suggest that early morning meetings, careers and kids are why this age group has stopped going to the Albert. A fresh coat of paint won’t bring them back and who really wants them back? The Albert is about discovering new bands, it’s about college kids finding their generation’s musical heroes. Clean bathrooms are cool with them too, but they’re not the reason they come. They want a place to see music that pushes boundaries and where beer is sold at a price they can afford. If the Albert changes too much and the renovations get factored into liquor prices they won’t come back. It’s an economic issue. Cheap beer and cheap tickets are what has kept this club going. If that changes, all bets are off.

But what was Winnipeg’s musical community thinking? Was it cultural Armageddon or just economics? I contacted a card-carrying musician and a promoter to find out.

Jesse Matthewson, who plays with Ken Mode and Hide Your Daughters, says the Albert was “the cheapest venue to rent and the people were easy to deal with. They never complained about the styles of music being performed.” Jesse remains open-minded to the changes Jorgenson is now proposing, adding that he’d like to see the hotel’s upper floors being turned into rehearsal space, the washrooms getting an upgrade and some secure backstage storage space added.

Nathan Terrin is a local independent promoter who books 75 per cent of his shows at the Albert. He too has taken a wait-and-see attitude and would welcome new carpets, renovated washrooms and a proper green room or dressing rooms. He does not think that an upscale hotel and a punk bar can co-exist under the same roof, but would not be opposed to seeing the upper floors turned into business offices or another kind of nightclub.

Both industry types hope the Albert survives to rock future generations, but don’t seem overly worried. If the Albert was to change dramatically and began to cater to a more upscale clientele they both felt that bands playing alternative music would find a new venue where they could afford the rent, the PA didn’t suck and cheap beer flowed freely.