2 Mandala Parade, Castle Hill: Plans for new Anytime Fitness gym revealed

Residents of Sydney’s northwest won’t have to skip leg day, with a popular gym franchise planning to set up a new location in the area.

An Anytime Fitness gym. Generic picture: Troy Darren

Residents of Sydney’s northwest won’t have to skip leg day, with a popular gym franchise planning to set up a new location in the area.

Anytime Fitness, which has operated in Australia since 2008, has lodged a development application to build a 24/7 gym at 2 Mandala Parade, Castle Hill.

If approved, the site’s current commercial premises would be converted to a gym with a maximum of 60 people at any time.

A statement of environmental effects, compiled by Prestige Town Planning on behalf of Anytime Fitness, says the gym would “serve the daily needs of people living in, working in and visiting the locality”.

“Anytime Fitness finds that when a facility is established in an area that is located within a local centre and in relative proximity to businesses, offices and surrounding residential areas, the local workforce and nearby residents make up a significant bulk of the membership base,” it states.

An aerial map view of the proposed Anytime Fitness gym. Picture: Hills Shire Council

“This encourages members to walk or cycle to the facility instead of driving, as well as make use of available public transport amenities on their daily commute, therefore maximising public transport patronage and encouraging alternatives to private motor vehicle use.”

Along with standard gym equipment and layout, the proposal highlights ways to keep staff and patrons safe.

The proposed Anytime Fitness gym would be on the first floor of a larger building at the Hills Showground Village. Picture: Hills Shire Council

In terms of on-site security, the gym would use a “state-of-the-art security system” in order to “maximise the safety of patrons and the greater community”.

This includes 24-hour digital high-resolution CCTV cameras by the entrance and other strategic locations, as well as a members only access key fob.

The proposal also outlines how, if another person tried to enter behind a member, an “audible beeping alarm” would alert management and other patrons.

Due to the site being located within a commercial area with other neighbours, noise reducing measures are also detailed.

These include a ban on loud bass beats typically associated with gyms, members needing headphones to listen to what is on the TV screens, high-impact acoustic rubber flooring, windows and doors being shut at all times, and limiting noise from night-time patrons.