The 2200 Club, a sauna and steam club for men, opened at the old Mustang Spa site at 2200 University Ave. in North Park on Dec. 19. The Gay & Lesbian Times had previously received calls in the preceding months before Mustang Spa closed complaining about drug use, a lack of cleanliness and unprotected sex performed in common spaces.

Under new owner Bob Smith, new policies and procedures have been put in place. No bags are allowed into the club premises, which contributes to his strict no-drug policy as well.

“The policy is that we don’t allow anyone to carry any bags in. That is to keep people from bringing drugs or alcohol,” said Smith. He explained there were lockers and locks available in the lobby area for anyone who brings a bag with them.

“That’s just simply to cut down on the drug situation. No drugs are allowed in the place and if we find somebody with drugs, out the door they go.”

According to Nicole Murray-Ramirez, city commissioner and chair of the Chief of Police Advisory Board, there had been numerous complaints of drug use and unsafe sex when the former Mustang Spa operated facility.

“I was in communication with the following: the owners of F Street Corporation, the county health department and police officials about the growing reports and incidents that were occurring at Mustang Spa,” Murray-Ramirez said. “I then met with the owners of Mustang Spa to try to get them to conform with this…They committed to try to change that, but it was too little too late.”

Murray-Ramirez had then alerted Smith of the then-vacant property, initiating Smith’s subsequent ownership and renovations.

“He’s a former businessman in San Diego and in Palm Springs for at least two decades. He has a solid record of complying and making safe-sex education and contributing to AIDS agencies,” said Murray-Ramirez.

Smith said the property had been under considerable construction prior to the opening due to replacing all plumbing fixtures and other renovations and enhancements made to the club. According to Smith, F Street Corporation owns the property and the plumbing work cost the property owners close to $19,000.

“When I took over the place, all the plumbing was not in function and that all had to be replaced…that took over six weeks by itself,” said Smith.

Smith explained that the entire flooring had to be dug up due to collapsed sewer lines underneath it. He said the plumbers found collapsed cast iron fixtures and told him the building was probably about 40 to 50 years old.

Smith said the water currently seen seeping outside of the building was due to the recent rainstorms and overflow when they had done the plumbing work.

The enhancements to the club amounted to close to $20,000, Smith said. Aside from the new plumbing, other major enhancements include all new mattresses and pillows and new TVs featuring three channels in 25 of over 40 private rooms within the club.

Upon inspection of the club, the Gay & Lesbian Times found the premises to be clean , with numerous signs posted throughout the facility declaring the no-drug policy. Condoms are also given to each patron as they enter when receiving their towel and locker key. There is also safe-sex literature and signage posted within the club.

The 2200 Club is the only bathhouse in San Diego that has a large heated pool.

A new staff of nine people was hired by Smith to operate the bathhouse with John Smith as acting general manager.

Bob Smith remains positive about the changes he has made as well as the customers utilizing the bathhouse. “I’m very satisfied with the clientele. The fact that we washed the place down made it a lot different,” said Smith.

Smith said this week they had to close for three days because of the installation of a new hot water tank and the replacement of all rugs. They will re-open on Friday, Jan. 21.