New fitness centres proposed for Drouin

Plans for two new fitness centres at Drouin providing vastly different facilities and programs have been lodged with Baw Baw shire.

The planning applications are for a “boutique” fitness centre and an adjoining café/restaurant, to be built on a current vacant block of land between Young St and Commercial Place in the town’s business area, and a martial arts and fitness centre utilising part of the former Visy Packaging factory on Main South Rd.

The boutique centre and café/restaurant is to be in a single storey rendered masonry building on a 240-square metre block at 54 Young St.

The fitness centre will occupy 178 square metres and have an outdoor seating area.

It is proposed to offer one-on-one and small class training with a maximum of 10 patrons at any one time.

The café/restaurant will take up 60 square metres with a further 21 square metres for outdoor use and covered with an awning.

The application seeks exemption from requirements to provide on-site parking claiming there is already sufficient parking in the area to accommodate staff and users.

At the former Visy factory, vacant for several years, the proposal is to convert an area of just over 490 square metres on the southern end of the building for martial arts – boxing, judo and karate – and a fitness centre including gymnasium.

The application says the business would also offer off-site classes to local schools and disengaged youth.

An entry foyer, changerooms, an office, storage area, toilets and showers are also included in the development.

Opening times of the facility will be 6am to 8pm Mondays to Fridays and 7 am to 3pm on Saturdays.

There are 82 car parking spaces available on the site and the application claims the facility was not expected to impact on residential dwellings or other nearby land uses.

The property is zoned industrial.