THUNDER BAY — Peter Panetta is getting anxious to open the doors of his new Underground Gym location to the youths who he says desperately need it.
The Victoria Avenue location replaces the Simpson Street site that was closed over a year ago due to structural issues.
After securing the two-storey facility in November, Panetta hoped to have the Underground Gym in operation before Christmas.
Regulatory requirements, however, have dashed that overly optimistic aspiration.
It's left Panetta worrying about the well-being of some of his clients.
"Since the closure in November 2019, I've had five separate deaths...suicides, overdoses. This is a huge issue," Panetta said in an interview Monday.
He believes the gym provides essential services for young people, especially those experiencing mental health issues.
"I deal with this on a daily basis at the Underground Gym, and have been for years. This is not like any other place. This is a family. These are kids who have been with me for years and years," Panetta said. "There's vulnerable teens, right now. I consistently have to see that nothing happens to them."
He's frustrated over the amount of time it's taking to get the approvals required to open the gym.
"The first restrictions were the city, with their building permit requirements. To me, it was a bit excessive...having an architect there doing drawings, and on and on and on."
A city official told TBNewswatch the city is prepared to do what it can to expedite the process, but regulations require a Change of Use permit application.,
That's because the building was formerly used as office space, and will now serve a purpose similar to a community centre, where people will assemble.
The Ontario Building Code mandates an application that includes architectural drawings.
To date, the application has not been filed, but Panetta says he's getting some help with the paperwork from a local firm.
"The impression I get is that they [the city] want to accommodate as best as they can. That's a good thing. I'm hoping the drawings can be done this week."
Panetta said that, once the approvals are received, the main floor of the two-storey building "Is all set. It's ready to go. We are so lucky to have this building."
Under Ontario's current COVID-19 restrictions, gyms are closed.
But Panetta believes he can make the case that the important services it provides as a youth centre put the Underground Gym on a level similar to that of other nearby facilities that provide shelter to at-risk people.
He said he is also confident he can operate while meeting any COVID-19 protocols, such as social distancing, that may be laid down by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
"There's enough space. There's 5,000 square feet there...I will accommodate whatever they require. I just need to get the vulnerable youth in there. I don't need the children that just need to bounce around on play things, and stuff like that. That's not important."
Panetta first opened the Underground Gym 22 years ago.
Once its new location is fully operational, it will duplicate programming that was offered at the Simpson Street site, including a youth centre, kitchen, boxing ring, gym area, wrestling, tutoring, music and art.
