A new indoor climbing and gymnasium centre to be established at Kirrawee will become a “community hub”, the operators say.
St Leonards-based firm Climb Fit received development approval for the facility in a cavernous industrial unit at 23-27 Waratah Street.
Climb Fit director Robbie Josephsen said the establishment of a new centre in Sutherland Shire had “probably been on our minds for three years”.
“We have spent a year or two in planning and working with the council,” he said.
“We looked around for quite a while trying to find a place with suitable size and height.”
Mr Josephsen said they targeted the shire because “it’s a big catchment that hasn’t necessarily been tapped as yet”.
“There are a lot of gyms, but no climbing gyms.
“There was one about 10 years ago, but it fizzled out.
“We are hoping to open in September if everything goes to plan, but we are saying spring.
“It will be a three-months’ build.”
Mr Josephsen said the centre would cater climbs for a broad range of users from beginners to “serious stuff” that would challenge the most experienced adults.
“The predominant weekday climb will be the adult who comes in after work,” he said.
“On the weekends, it will be more about families and kids birthday parties.”
Mr Josephsen said the centre would also cater for school groups, after-school activity and there would also be yoga and exercise classes.
“It will be a community hub,” he said.
Prices, including harness rental, will be $25 for adults and $18 for children, with an in-between rate for students.
There will be no time limit.
The centre will be open from 6am to 10-11pm on weekdays and 8am to 8pm on weekends.
There won’t be a cafe, at least initially, but a coffee cart will be available.
Mr Josephen said Climb Fit had operated at St Leonards for about 20 years.
“We took it over five years ago and re-imaged the place,” he said.
The other directors are Steve Gardner and Sarah Josephsen.
The development application (DA) said the facility would comprise a climbing gym area, gym / yoga area, office spaces and ancillary facilities including three party rooms, a workshop and a mobile cafe.
”The existing tenancy is provided with 18 designated car parking spaces, at the front and the eastern boundary of the site,” the DA said.
”Members/visitors...are anticipated to use a mix of private car, public transport and walking (generally from their houses and nearby places of employment) to travel to and from the subject site.”
The Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (IHAP) said the approved trial closing time of 11pm was “appropriate to allow monitoring of the use, its impact and compliance with conditions of consent”.
No objections had been received to the application, the panel said.
