The co-owners of planned under-21 venue Frost Nightclub say the club has been "shelved indefinitely" -- a decision that has come as no surprise to hired students.

On Tuesday, co-owners Tim Kotzman and Mak McKeehan posted the message "Frost still not Open" on the nightclub's facebook.com group.

Kotzman confirmed the post late Tuesday night.

Frost Nightclub and Lounge, 459 E. Calder Way, was originally scheduled to open sometime in April 2005; it has, however, "continued to be plagued with a multitude of issues," including a "financial crunch," according to the facebook post.

"The project has been delayed time and time again, giving the appearance of never opening," the post reads.

Frost Nightclub began hiring in April 2005, and McKeehan said at the time that he planned to hire about 60 employees.

Ed Petronsky (senior-geographic information systems) said he was hired in April 2005 and was told he would begin working the following month, but he hasn't heard from the club since his interview.

"I feel like they should have told us this a year ago, because a lot of us have been hanging around and waiting for two years," Petronsky said.

McKeehan said Frost would hold on to employees' paperwork and contact them when the club is ready to open.

"I think it's pretty funny that is they are keeping paperwork, because nobody that was interviewed is going to be around [if and when] the club opens," Petronsky said.

Petronsky said that the employment situation at Frost should have been resolved a long time ago.

"If and when the club will open, you will be contacted. Until then, we regret that we cannot employ anyone in the immediate future," the note reads.

McKeehan and Kotzman did not return calls by press time yesterday.

Rob Aromando (sophomore-meteorology), who was hired to be a bouncer, said he is not surprised that he will not be working at Frost anytime soon.

"I guess I knew it was going to happen. I'm not that surprised -- we kind of thought that for awhile," Aromando said.

Former assistant general manager Tom Donohue said management was told the delays were due to construction, but "in reality, it appears that the delays were due to funding."

State College Borough Council member Tom Daubert said the decision was "too bad" for the community.

"It was an alternate for people," he said. "It wasn't perfect. We wanted them to be successful. The more [students] could do without alcohol, the more alternatives they have."

Donohue said he is not surprised by the announcement, but it is unfortunate to hear, because "this would have been a good endeavor for a college community."

Donohue said he hopes someone can pick up where the current owners have left off, because an under-21 venue would be a great asset to the community.

"It is apparent that Frost has melted," he said.