No hot air: St. Charles pipe club has to move

Pipe enthusiasts from across the region can enjoy the aroma and flavor of fine tobacco at a convention in St. Charles this weekend -- but they'll have to do it outside just like everybody else.

That's because their meeting place, Pheasant Run Resort, has pulled the plug on an arrangement to allow indoor smoking that came under scrutiny by tobacco opponents and public health officials just days before the convention.

"What we originally had planned, in our opinion and in the opinion of (the city of) St. Charles, met the law," resort general manager Mike Larson said Friday, referring to the statewide smoking ban that took effect Jan. 1.

Under the agreement, Pheasant Run, 4051 E. Main St., was to lease its MegaCenter to the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club, whose members then would be responsible for all aspects of the event -- from janitorial duties to food service. In addition, anyone who showed up needed to become a club member for $15 before entering.

Collectively, Larson said, the efforts aimed to ensure no one from the general public and no resort employees would be subjected to secondhand smoke.

The idea, however, didn't fly with Janet Williams of the Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco, who quickly reported the situation to state and local health departments, police, the state's attorneys in Kane and DuPage counties, and other elected officials after learning about it this week.

"What concerns me is, I think they think there's a compromise," said Williams, who is co-chairman of the nonprofit coalition and said she helped write the legislation. "There's not a compromise. The act is clear: It's against the law to smoke indoors."

After hearing similar concerns from public health officials, Pheasant Run agreed to erect a large tent outside, at least 15 feet from MegaCenter entrances. The tent will serve as at the official smoking area while the convention is in town today and Sunday.

"There will not be any smoking inside the structure," said St. Charles police spokesman Paul McCurtain.

Larson declined to speculate about how the change could affect the resort's relationship with the pipe collectors club, whose conventions have drawn thousands of visitors to St. Charles over the last six years. A club representative could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.

Larson emphasized that Pheasant Run Resort "supports" the state smoking ban and "will continue to do so in the future. We are in full compliance with the requirements," he said.