A potential new site has caught the eye of the operator of a gym for youth.
Peter Panetta runs the Underground Gym, and tells us he’s asking the city to donate a building at the corner of Leith and Hardisty to his cause. “I can’t believe this place, I mean, 3 levels. A music room, an art room, a gym with treadmill and weights, a boxing gym, a kitchen.”
At this point, it’s just a matter of time before we know if the city will honour his request, even though there’s another interested party. “From what I understand, it’s ultimately up to city council as to who gets that building. So if a guy bids $169,000, and I bid ‘zip’, the city has the right to give it to who they thinks deserves it.”
The councillor for that area, Brian Hamilton, says the city and Panetta have been working for months on this, and a report will be coming before council soon.
Panetta also points out even though there’s another bidder for the building at 201 Leith Street, he refuses to ask for city funding. “There’s no way I’m going on my knees in front of city council begging to help the city’s kids. Either you see the validity in what I’m doing, or don’t bother.”
Fire destroyed the building the Underground Gym was in, further down the road on Simpson Street.
