Opinion: The Loft is officially CANCELED

Photo Illustration by Alaina Burris

As many of you already know, our beloved party haven, The Loft, has been banned by various coaches across campus. We all must say goodbye to the sweaty, smelly and, for us girls, somewhat scary, party scene that we all have known and loved during our time at Ottawa. Let us all take a moment of silence. 

I would like you to think back on your first Loft party; the excitement of your first big college party, all of the girls and guys to talk to, the black lights, the overly loud music, all while drunk off the Henny. Many of us have laughed, cried, loved and puked in that apartment. We have met significant others, one night stands and new friends all at the cultural icon that was The Loft. 

Now, I know some of you don’t know what to do with your weekends anymore and I want you to know you’re not alone. The Ottawa police are in the same situation, now that they can’t arrest all of the freshmen for DUI’s. But is banning the Loft really the best idea? Yeah, it scared a lot of upperclassmen into not throwing parties, but what does that leave us? No college experience. Those drunk nights are how many of us found ourselves. How else are you going to embarrass your friend on social media for their birthdays? 

I understand that a majority of the students on campus are athletes and that drinking isn’t good for us but just hear me out. Think about how much cardio you get going up those stairs and dancing for hours. Or the strength and balance training you get from pushing your way across the dance floor. Not even to mention the benefit the basketball players get from playing beer pong. All you wrestlers can make weight by sweating your ass off, dance team can practice their moves, football players can practice tackling the boys that get in fights outside; need I keep going? 

But sadly, as we all know, The Loft is no more. So hold on to those memories – unless you blacked out every time and don’t recall anything – and cherish them. We will live on, but nothing will live up to The Loft. May it rest in peace.