Racquet Club to expand
Gym to add another fitness studio, more space for weight room
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Yellowknife Racquet Club is set to add 7,500 square feet to its building in Old Town.
The work is expected to take a year but not disrupt operations.
Kelli Hinchey, owner and general manager of the racquet club, said the 15,000-square-foot building constructed 35 years ago no longer has enough space. With 1,800 members and growing demand on the fitness side of the business, she said it was time to either sell or expand.
"We're literally bursting at the seems," she said.
The expansion was announced to members at the end of Territorial Squash Championships two weekends ago. The construction work, to be carried out by Konge Construction Ltd., will add another fitness studio, more space for the weight room, a children's play area, new changing rooms, an expanded spin studio and an expanded front entry.
The expansion will maintain the existing four racquet courts.
The growth is expected to allow the facility to offer programs it currently isn't able to because of limited space.
On May 26, the club was given a development permit by the city. That permit provided variances, including reducing minimum parking requirements from 48 to 19 spaces and reducing front yard setback for the building and deck. The appeal period ended Thursday without objections, Hinchey said. On Monday, brush was being cleared along the south side of the building was underway.
The expansion will be along the south side of the structure where its deck is currently.
"It's not going to affect our operation as it is now. Nothing will be affected with the current space, we'll just push out the side of the building," Hinchey said.
The company had looked at the idea of a big renovation several years ago but decided not to move ahead with it.
Hinchey said the price tag of the upcoming expansion will be in the millions of dollars.
"It's a significant investment for us to do this," she said, adding she's excited about the next phase of the club.
"We're just really grateful for the support of our membership," she said.
It's not yet clear whether the renovations will affect membership costs.
The facility is one of several fitness centres in the city, including Breakaway Fitness on 48 Street and Just Fitness on 54 Avenue.
