Regina's Pump Roadhouse reopens one week after shooting

The owner of the Pump Roadhouse has had a stressful week after a shooter opened fire in the bar last week.

But he'snot letting that get in the way of the bar's perennialpromotion, Thirsty Thursdays.The bar will reopen tonight for the weekly event.

"We've been so busy helping with the investigation, trying to deal with the stress that comes along with our staff," said the Pump's owner, Mark Smith.

"We've had to bring in some help in that regard. Some therapy and things to help them deal with it."

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Smith says the group counselling sessions have been helpful for the staff, but he also feels for his customers who dealt with what became a scary situation last week.

"Some of them have called and said, we're coming back, we're not going to let this ruin a great place, and we appreciate that.But if they are having trouble coping with the situation, we really want them to gethelp. Reach out for help, because it's really helped our staff."

The owner says he understands if people feel afraid to go back to the bar at this point and he respects that, but he's happy to hear from others who have called to offer support andsay they're planning to return.

Smith says the Pump will receive some extra help from an outside firm, Impact Security, for the short-term. After that, he's planning on having his security staff undergo extra training during the summer under a certified program through the province's justice ministry.

He added that the team will continue to enforce its usual code of conduct, banning drugs, weapons, and dangerous behaviour among other things,and customerscan expect to have their bags and their clothing searched on their way in.

Smith is also looking into technology that scans people's identification cards as they enter the business, and stores them on a list in case something happens.

"I really believe that in Saskatchewan, we feel safe and wefeel that things are always going to be good and fine and dandy, but a precaution is necessary," he said. Smith hopes other bars and pubs beef up their security that way, too.

Despite a difficult week at his business, Smith said he's planning to hold a fundraiser concert at the Pump for people fleeing fires in and aroundFort McMurray.

"We've beenvictimized, and I know how it feels," Smith said. "We have the capacity to help, and that's what we're going to do."