I am not sure if we need that. For “smaller” group discussions and socializing we have matrix, irc, discussion-threads and more. I think community-building takes place at other areas in Fedora, and usually at those areas that are open for everyone. When it comes to socializing, we have the Watercooler at discussion.fp, Social Hour, the channel and other activities/possibilities that are mostly unrestricted.
Also, my perception has always been that it is “widely expected” and intended to use the lounge as little as possible because we want to be an open community.
So imho, the need for the lounge is limited to handling problem cases, and this would be also satisfied by …
So, that would be an alternative that can fulfill the role. And it would clearly make the point that socializing is open at Fedora (if this is desired).
Why shall we restrict that? We have so many types of channels where people can openly socialize. I think outside of ask.fp ask-topics, we usually do not need to worry about “one day” users who are gone once their question is answered. So socializing among people with the goal of also getting to know each other better over time works imho.
However, how about a dedicated channel in Matrix or so for the ask.fp SIG? So, one that is explicitly not for answering questions, which (in my experience) limits the participants to the “committed” people. So just like the lounge but open? Like the Docs channel or so.