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Pendle Hill: 24-hour gym to open at Commonwealth Bank site

Plans to occupy a former Commonwealth Bank are sure to get hearts racing. Find out about how the space will be used.

Anytime Fitness will open at Pendle Hill. Picture: Tim Carrafa
Anytime Fitness will open at Pendle Hill. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Pulses are expected to soar at Pendle Hill where fitness chain Anytime Fitness has lodged plans for a 24-hour gymnasium at the former Commonwealth Bank site.

CWG Property has submitted a development application for a $218,530 gym at 144 Pendle Way, where the bank operated until September.

The 378sq m gym expects peak hours to be between 6am and 8am and 4pm and 7pm on weekdays.

It will have “minimal change rooms and shower facilities with only basic amenities” and capacity for 30 patons but up to 20 are expected during peak times but noise and traffic concerns could arise during the public consultation period ending on March 16.

The Commonwealth Bank at Pendle Hill shut on September 13. Signage is removed.
The Commonwealth Bank at Pendle Hill shut on September 13. Signage is removed.

The gym is near a 60-apartment block at Civic Ave and two other complexes with 96 units are under construction in the same street.

Despite the gym’s central location just metres from Pendle Hill train station, there won’t be any extra parking for gymgoers.

A traffic study commissioned by McLaren traffic engineering and road safety consultants showed there was a demand for 27 spots but on-street parking would cater for members.

The project is expected to generate 35 car trips (17 in, 18 out) in its peak operating hours.

“This level is low and will be readily accommodated by the existing road network capacity,’’ the report said.

The former Commonwealth Bank site at Pendle Hill.
The former Commonwealth Bank site at Pendle Hill.
The gym will be close to Pendle Hill shops. Picture: Carmela Roche
The gym will be close to Pendle Hill shops. Picture: Carmela Roche

“The existing two carparking spaces at the rear of the site can sufficiently accommodate

the expected staff parking demand, with ample existing on-street carparking available to

accommodate the expected visitor parking demand with no adverse impact to parking

conditions in the area and additional capacity.’’

The report said the development would not have an adverse effect on any nearby intersections and had minimal impacts on traffic flow, residential amenity and road safety considerations.

Plans submitted to the council also said the gym would have “limited membership’’ with mainly local patrons who would get walk to the gym instead of drive.

Development near Pendle Hill station has underlined traffic gridlock near the station.

In 2015, the State Government pledged to expand Civic Park carpark with an extra 130 spaces for commuters but plans were dumped in January.

After three years of consultation, Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou said he wrote to Transport for NSW in December and “the response I’ve received basically puts this issue in the ‘too-hard basket’ and blames council for a lack of co-operation”.

“I would urge Transport authorities to reconsider their decision around parking in

Pendle Hill. Commuters need this parking, it was an election commitment and

council is ready to move forward with this.”

Instead, the government pledged more parking for Wentworthville, where 120 extra spaces will be allocated at its commuter carpark, taking the total to 300.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/pendle-hill-24hour-gym-to-open-at-commonwealth-bank-site/news-story/4c123f5a7eb653ff29dd11417e0c7b89