Proponents of a community gym in the Julius fire station on Gulf Road are ready to go, but the space isn’t ready for them.

“We’re in a bit of a bind regarding your timeline because of our current tenant,” said parks district board president Mark Robbins at the January 9 board meeting.

The front portion of the building is currently rented to a local resident for vehicle storage, but commissioners agreed in principle that a gym would be a better use of the asset.

“Right now it is bringing in some revenue for the parks district, but it isn’t serving the community and I would love to see that,” parks district commissioner Mary Edgley said. “This is the first proposal I’ve seen that would have that community benefit. I love the idea of a gym and I would love to see a concrete plan.”

Gym proponent Elizabeth Lantz outlined a plan to form a non-profit organization that would use already donated CrossFit equipment and mats to create a traditional training area. Fees would be associated with use of the gym to cover costs such as utilities and some staffing.

Lantz, a former personal trainer, said they would be able to offer classes teaching the CrossFit system, used by many police and fire departments.

“It uses dynamic body movement and weights in a long-term approach to developing your body,” she said.
There was also the possibility of having other fitness classes, such as yoga or martial arts.

Parks commissioners approved a motion to store the gym equipment with the intention of using the building for a community gym when possible. However, the district has promised to remodel the space as a library if enough money can be raised within five years. Lantz promised the gym would be moved if and when the library was ready to use the space.