By MARA PATTISON-SOWDEN
A WOMEN’s only gym will close its doors this Friday in Wandin over a car parking dispute.
The family-owned franchise has been fighting a planning permit requirement to construct a 12-car parking area, on land used by other businesses, which they have no control over as lessees.
The family says it is exhausted from trying to resolve the problem but have soldiered on for seven years until now as the decision to close will affect their staff and 200 members.
But Yarra Ranges Council says a recent state planning review may mean the amount of parking needed may have decreased.
It is too late for the family, but members hold hope that the 11th-hour salvation from the council could mean a new operator to continue the gym.
Mother and daughter team Lynda Lempriere and Katie Upton opened Curves Wandin seven years ago with a member base stretching from Yarra Junction to Mount Evelyn, and Silvan to Coldstream.
It has since shrunk from 500 members to 200, with people not wanting to commit to the gym, which could have been closed down at any time for not complying with the permit.
They never wanted to agree to it, as they had safety concerns for their members having to walk down a dark alley at night time.
But they accepted advice to take on the permit and deferred the parking condition in 2008 and again in 2012.
Yarra Ranges Council’s planning director Andrew Paxton said the correct amount of car parking was significant when a new business was beginning within an existing building.
He said the original permit, and two following assessments, had showed the demand for car parking would still be greater than the availability of spaces.
In October 2007 the women engaged an independent traffic management firm, TraffixGroup to undertake a parking assessment that showed there was abundant parking in the area.
They also say the proposed car park, which is behind the gym, a deli and gas company, was traditionally used by the staff from the other two businesses, leaving only one extra park for a gym member.
“The request from council to create 12 car parking spaces would leave only one car park for our members … this doesn’t make any sense to me,” said Ms Lempriere.
She said the hours that Curves was open had a positive impact on the parking as it didn’t operate during peak times of the other businesses.
“It also attracts business to the other traders who have all been very encouraging, helpful and positive since the opening of Curves,” she said.
Ms Upton said the business has been up for sale but they couldn’t sell it with the permit condition as it was. However, closing a Curves franchise before its 10-year agreement will cost the family thousands of dollars.
“We’re here for health reasons and to provide a community for some people that don’t have that support out there,” she said.
“It’s a massive financial loss for us but also a loss for the community.”
Mr Paxton said planning officers had always supported the use of the site as a Curves fitness centre, and a change in car parking provisions through a State Government review could work in the family’s favour.
“Officers will be in contact with the operator this week to make a time to work through this matter with a view to seeking an appropriate resolution,” he said.
