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Posted on Fri, Jun 17, 2011 : 5:58 a.m.

Gym America plans 72,000-square-foot wellness complex in expansion, relocation in Pittsfield Township

By Lizzy Alfs

Owners of Ann Arbor gymnastics facility Gym America have revived a plan to build a wellness complex in Pittsfield Township.

The proposal calls for the construction of a new 72,330-square-foot facility at 2372 Oak Valley Dr. It would be positioned north and east of the road, between Arbor Hospice and Tutor Time Child Care/Learning Center and across the street from the Pittsfield branch of the Ann Arbor District Library.

It would also be a few hundred feet from the Ann Arbor Ice Cube and the WideWorld Sports Center, boosting the area's reputation as a hub of sports activity.Gym America owners recently submitted a preliminary site plan for a planned unit development project, and it's now under review by the Pittsfield Township Planning Commission. They originally submitted a plan in April 2005, but it has since been revised and resubmitted.

Gymnastics.JPG

A gymnastics training facility would be a key part of a new wellness complex proposed for Pittsfield Township.

File photo | AnnArbor.com

The complex would dedicate 23,000 square feet for a new Gym America gymnastics school to replace the owners' smaller, existing location on Platt Road. The rest of the building would be occupied by businesses that may include a yoga studio, a dance studio, Probility Physical Therapy, Pure Barre, Salon Luminosity and Brewed Awakenings Cafe, said Claudia Kretschmer, owner of Gym America.

There would also be a full-sized basketball court and a gym with a running track, Kretschmer said.

Along with the building, the site plan includes adding a parking lot that will accommodate 183 vehicles.

Kretschmer and her husband founded Gym America in 1979 when they opened their first location on Airport Road. In 1984, they moved into their current 8,000-square-foot building at 4611 Platt Road, also in Pittsfield Township. She said the current Gym America location will close if the new building is built.

Kretschmer said she delayed the project because she and her husband, Ed, wanted to map out details before moving forward.

“This has been a vision and dream of mine for so many years and we have been close to doing many different projects,” Kretschmer said. “Then this opportunity came about and things have just come together.”

Kretschmer said her vision included both expanding Gym America and building a complex where people could “do it all.” She said she has yet to brainstorm a name for the wellness complex.

“At the center, people will be able to drop off their kids at gymnastics or the child care center and then go get a massage or go to a Pure Barre class,” Kretschmer said. “And it will all be in the same building.”

Although Kretschmer declined to comment on the amount of the investment, she said she has an investment group helping with the financing for the project.

“We need more space for Gym America,” Kretschmer said. “We’ve really used every single square inch of our facility. We’re busting at the seams here.”

Kretschmer said she wanted to keep her business in Pittsfield Township because she likes the sense of community.

“I feel like we’ve built a relationship with people here,” Kretschmer said. “I’m a big believer in the community and relationships. I absolutely fell in love with this location and I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

If the project moves forward, Kretschmer said she would have to add jobs.

Mandy Grewal, Pittsfield Township supervisor, praised the proposal.

“It should be positive for the businesses and residents in the area,” Grewal said. “I think it brings overall vibrancy to the region.”

Paul Montagno, Pittsfield Township planner, agreed and said he is happy to see that Gym America is looking to stay in Pittsfield Township.

“It looks like the site is moving forward,” Montagno said. “They have to take care of a few things, but it’s moving in a positive direction.”

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.

Comments

Adrienne

Thu, Jun 23, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.

If I understand correctly where this place would go, a huge patch of nice old trees would need to be ripped out to build yet another complex on a road that already cannot handle the traffic it has. How exactly is this "wellness," and why isn't Gym America invetigating one of many already-established vacant buildings in the area instead?

Wolverine1982

Sat, Jun 18, 2011 : 3 p.m.

Great to see a story about a business being built, instead of a business closing down. This is excellent news on so many levels. It's going to create construction jobs, it's going to create jobs when it opens, it's going to help turn that whole area into a sports mecca (along with the Ice Cube, etc.). And most importantly, it's going to give hundreds of kids (and adults) a place to work out and get healthy. I'm guessing they'll be hosting tournaments and meets, which will bring more outside dollars to Ann Arbor. What great news! Thank you, Gym America!

ChrisW

Fri, Jun 17, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.

Not a bad choice of location, but I wish they'd lower the speed limit to 35 on that stretch of Oak Valley.

AfterDark

Sat, Jun 18, 2011 : 2:10 a.m.

I wish they'd run a bus route down Oak Valley. They used to at one time.

Sherry Knight

Fri, Jun 17, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.

Great news, Claudia! Congratulations!

Etail4

Fri, Jun 17, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.

Great news! My daughter will love this place. Keep up the good work Pittsfield. Seems that much of the "new business" reports these days always involves Pittsfield Township. It is infectious and helps the tax base.