Two gym owners have defended their proposal to open a new fitness facility at Onchan Park, following concerns from local residents.
The plan, which would replace a former children’s play area, has raised questions about the need for a gym in the park. Some locals are concerned about the impact on recreational spaces for children.
Danny Kane, who co-owns The Meadow Gym in Douglas with his brother Joe, assured the community that the new facility would still focus on offering services for young people.
The building, which previously housed The Dance and Fun Factory for 15 years before closing after Christmas, is owned by Onchan Commissioners. Before that, it served as a squash centre.
While some residents have expressed concerns over the loss of a children’s play space, Kane emphasized that children’s fitness would remain a priority at the new gym. He posted on Facebook to clarify the gym’s vision and the role it would play in the community.
“We are a functional fitness gym that has been running for four years,” Kane wrote. “Our goal is not to operate like a typical commercial gym. Instead, we focus on class-based coaching, and we have members ranging from ages 3 to 75.”
Addressing concerns about the potential loss of facilities for children, Kane responded: “We offer the best children’s fitness program on the island, and this new space will allow us to expand those efforts. Children are one of the main reasons we want to grow and offer more frequent classes.”
Kane also noted the potential for the gym to help address local issues, such as antisocial behavior among young people. “Providing a space for kids to stay active and engaged could be an effective way to address some of these concerns,” he said.
The plans for the gym include retaining the building’s current layout, which has four separate rooms that will all be used for gym activities. While specific uses for each room are not detailed in the application, the proposed opening hours for the gym are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The planning committee will review the application in the coming weeks.
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